taking care

USAGE SUMMARY

"taking care" is a valid phrase in written English.
It is often used as an imperative verb, meaning to be sure to do something with caution. For example, "Taking care to stay hydrated is important in the summer months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Taking care of education.

The New Yorker

I'm taking care of you".

The New York Times

"You're taking care of my tree".

The New Yorker

I loved taking care of him.

The New York Times - Magazine

Mom's always taking care of Oliver!

The New York Times - Books

"He isn't taking care of himself".

The New Yorker

Investors are still rightly taking care.

The New York Times

Taking care of herself: I do meditation.

The New York Times

"You're taking care of your sanity.

The New Yorker

Basketball is taking care of itself".

The New York Times - Sports

He was done taking care of Molly.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, ensure the context clarifies who or what is receiving the "taking care". Being specific prevents ambiguity and strengthens the message.

Common error

A common mistake is using "taking care" without specifying what or whom is being cared for. Always provide context to ensure clarity; otherwise, the phrase becomes vague and less impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "taking care" primarily functions as a present participle, often used in continuous verb tenses or as a gerund. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in describing ongoing actions, such as "I'm taking care of you" or "Basketball is taking care of itself".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Formal & Business

13%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "taking care" functions primarily as a present participle or gerund, denoting the act of providing attention or responsibility. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts, with significant presence in formal business and wiki sources. While "taking care" is versatile, clarity is key, and context should always specify who or what is being cared for to prevent ambiguity. Alternatives such as "looking after" or "caring for" can be used to add nuance, but "taking care" remains a direct and effective way to express concern and action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

caring for

Focuses on the emotional aspect of tending to someone or something.

looking after

An informal and general way of saying providing care or protection.

providing care

Emphasizes the act of supplying or delivering care.

tending to

Suggests a careful and attentive approach to care.

administering care

Highlights the formal or structured delivery of care.

protecting

Highlights the act of keeping someone or something safe from harm.

handling

Implies dealing with a situation or person with care and skill.

maintaining

Implies keeping something in good condition through care.

managing

Emphasizes the organizational aspect of providing care.

supervising

Focuses on overseeing and managing the care provided.

FAQs

How can I use "taking care" in a sentence?

You can use "taking care" to describe the act of providing attention, protection, or responsibility to someone or something. For example, "Taking care of children requires patience." or "Taking care of your health is essential for a long life".

What are some alternatives to "taking care"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "looking after", "caring for", or "tending to" as alternatives to "taking care".

Is it always necessary to specify what you are "taking care" of?

While not always grammatically required, specifying what you are "taking care" of enhances clarity. Omitting it can sometimes lead to confusion about the subject of the action.

What's the difference between "taking care of" and "take care of"?

"Taking care of" is the present participle form, often used in continuous tenses or as a gerund, while "take care of" is the imperative form, used to give a command or instruction. For example, "I am taking care of my plants" versus "Take care of your health".