took care of

USAGE SUMMARY

"took care of" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is usually used as a phrasal verb meaning "to do something in order to make sure that something is managed properly". For example, "I took care of the billing issues so that our customers wouldn't have to worry about it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"He took care of everything.

The New Yorker

Liz took care of me.

The New York Times - Magazine

She took care of everything".

The New York Times

"I took care of her".

The New York Times

They took care of me".

The New York Times

He took care of them.

The New Yorker

That took care of Afghanistan.

The New Yorker

(I took care of that).

The New York Times - Food

I took care of it".

The New Yorker

Langley took care of him.

The New Yorker

Stars took care of themselves.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "took care of", ensure the context clearly indicates what or whom was managed, handled, or protected. This prevents ambiguity and strengthens the clarity of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "took care of" in overly passive constructions where the actor is obscured. Instead of saying "It was taken care of", specify who "took care of" it to provide more direct and accountable writing.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "took care of" is that of a phrasal verb. It describes an action performed in the past, indicating that someone handled, managed, or was responsible for something or someone. Ludwig's examples show diverse applications, from managing finances to providing personal care.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "took care of" is a versatile and commonly used phrasal verb that describes the action of managing, handling, or being responsible for something. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely applicable in various contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific writing. The phrase exhibits a neutral register, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication. To enhance writing clarity, it's best to specify what or whom was "took care of" and avoid overly passive constructions. Alternatives such as "attended to", "looked after", and "managed" can be used to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cared for

Focuses on the nurturing or protective aspect of taking responsibility for someone or something.

attended to

Replaces "took care of" by focusing on the act of giving attention or service to someone or something.

looked after

Similar to "took care of", but often implies a sense of guardianship or protection.

handled

Focuses on the management aspect, suggesting a capable approach to dealing with a situation.

managed

Emphasizes the organizational and administrative aspect of dealing with something.

dealt with

A more general term for handling a situation or problem, less personal than "took care of".

saw to

Implies ensuring that something is done, often with a sense of responsibility.

oversaw

Suggests a supervisory role in managing or handling something.

protected

Emphasizes the act of keeping someone or something safe and secure.

superintended

Implies a more formal and authoritative management or handling of something.

FAQs

How do I use "took care of" in a sentence?

You can use "took care of" to describe managing a task, providing care, or ensuring something is handled properly. For example, "She "took care of" the arrangements for the meeting", or "He "took care of" his younger siblings".

What can I say instead of "took care of"?

You can use alternatives like "attended to", "looked after", or "managed" depending on the context.

Is "take care of" or "took care of" correct?

"Take care of" is the present tense or infinitive form, while ""took care of"" is the past tense. Use ""took care of"" when referring to something that has already happened.

What's the difference between "took care of" and "cared for"?

While both phrases involve responsibility, ""took care of"" can refer to managing tasks or situations, while "cared for" usually implies providing nurture and support. For example, you might say "She "took care of" the logistics", but "He cared for his ailing mother".