to look after

USAGE SUMMARY

"to look after" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of taking care of someone or something. For example, "My parents asked me to look after my little brother while they were away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Eliot was to look after the house.

The New Yorker

I have to look after Virginia".

The New York Times

Tony knows how to look after players.

Independent

Get people to look after themselves.

The Economist

"They're going to look after it".

The New York Times

You have to look after it.

Independent

"She was able to look after herself".

Independent

Spouses stop work to look after them.

The Economist

Somebody has to look after Richard, David.

The New Yorker

I had four children to look after.

University of California, Berkeley

Nothing.' You have to look after yourself".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to look after" when you want to convey a sense of responsibility and care for someone or something. It implies more than just watching; it suggests active involvement in their well-being.

Common error

Avoid confusing "to look after" with "to look at". "To look at" means to direct your gaze, while "to look after" means to care for. For example, say "I need to look after my plants" instead of "I need to look at my plants" if you mean you need to water and care for them.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "to look after" is that of a phrasal verb. It functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of taking care of or being responsible for someone or something. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is considered grammatically correct and readily usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

16%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to look after" is a very common and grammatically correct phrasal verb used to describe the act of caring for or being responsible for someone or something. As confirmed by Ludwig, it appears most frequently in News & Media and Science contexts. While it maintains a generally neutral tone, the specific context can influence its formality. Alternatives such as "to take care of" or "to care for" can be used depending on the nuance you wish to convey. The key is to ensure that the phrase is used to indicate active involvement and responsibility, rather than mere observation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to take care of

Emphasizes the act of providing care and attention.

to care for

A more general term for providing assistance and support.

to watch over

Implies a sense of protection and vigilance.

to attend to

Focuses on addressing the needs and requirements of someone or something.

to keep an eye on

Suggests a casual but watchful approach.

to be responsible for

Highlights the duty and accountability in managing someone or something.

to supervise

Implies overseeing and directing activities.

to manage

Focuses on the administrative aspects of care.

to nurture

Emphasizes fostering growth and development, often in a caring way.

to protect

Highlights safeguarding from harm or danger.

FAQs

How can I use "to look after" in a sentence?

The phrase "to look after" means to take care of someone or something. For example, "She asked me "to look after" her cat while she was on vacation".

What are some alternatives to "to look after"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "to take care of", "to care for", or "to watch over".

Is it formal or informal to use the phrasal verb "to look after"?

The phrasal verb "to look after" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is widely understood and accepted in various forms of communication.

What's the difference between "to look after" and "to watch"?

"To look after" implies responsibility and active care, while "to watch" simply means to observe. For instance, you "look after" a child by feeding and caring for them, but you might just "watch" a movie.