takes care of

USAGE SUMMARY

'takes care of' is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about someone taking responsibility for something, performing an action, or fulfilling a task. For example: "My older sister always takes care of setting the table for dinner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He takes care of me".

The New York Times - Sports

"He takes care of everybody".

The New York Times

Who takes care of this?

The New York Times

Takes care of scores.

The New Yorker

She takes care of us all".

The New Yorker

He takes care of things for them".

Independent

Now her godmother takes care of her.

The New York Times - Sports

Chris takes care of bathing the turtle.

The New York Times

That part takes care of itself".

The New York Times

That takes care of the politics.

The Economist

Hopefully, the league takes care of it".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "takes care of", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is benefiting from the care or action. For instance, "She takes care of her elderly mother" leaves no ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming "takes care of" implies complete resolution. It might only cover a specific aspect. Instead of saying "The software takes care of all our problems", be precise: "The software takes care of data backups".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "takes care of" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating that someone or something is performing an action of providing care, management, or responsibility. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this usage across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "takes care of" is a versatile and frequently used verb phrase that signifies responsibility, management, or attention to detail. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread applicability, supported by numerous examples from diverse sources like news outlets, scientific journals, and business publications. While it's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, being mindful of nuance and selecting the most precise phrasing based on your context is crucial for clarity. Be careful not to assume "takes care of" covers every aspect of a given task. Consider alternatives such as "is responsible for", "manages", or "handles" to better convey your intended meaning. The register of this phrase tends to be neutral, lending itself to diverse forms of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

looks after

Implies a caring and protective approach.

is responsible for

Focuses more on the duty or obligation aspect of taking care.

is in charge of

Highlights the authority and control over a particular task or person.

manages

Emphasizes the control and administration aspect of the situation.

handles

Highlights the action of dealing with or managing a task or situation.

deals with

Focuses on the act of managing problems or issues that arise.

attends to

Suggests giving attention and dealing with the needs of someone or something.

supervises

Indicates overseeing and directing a process or activity.

oversees

Similar to supervises, but can imply a broader scope of responsibility.

administers

Suggests a formal or official management role.

FAQs

How can I use "takes care of" in a sentence?

You can use "takes care of" to indicate responsibility or management. For example, "The gardener "takes care of" the flowers", or "He "takes care of" all the arrangements".

What are some alternatives to "takes care of"?

Some alternatives include "is responsible for", "manages", or "handles", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "takes care of" or "is responsible for"?

Both are correct, but ""takes care of"" often implies a more active and hands-on approach, while ""is responsible for"" can indicate a broader, more formal duty.

Can "takes care of" be used in formal writing?

Yes, ""takes care of"" is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, a more precise alternative like "administers" or "oversees" might be preferred.