look after
Take care of someone
Literalmente: to direct one's eyes (look) toward the back of something (after)
En 15 segundos
- To take care of or be responsible for someone or something.
- Used for pets, children, health, or even business projects.
- A warm, reliable way to describe providing care and safety.
Significado
To take care of someone or something by making sure they are safe, healthy, or in good condition.
Ejemplos clave
3 de 6Asking a neighbor for a favor
Could you look after my plants while I am on vacation?
Could you take care of my plants while I am on vacation?
Talking about family responsibilities
I need to go home and look after my younger brother.
I need to go home and take care of my younger brother.
A professional commitment
Don't worry, I will look after the accounts while you are away.
Don't worry, I will take care of the accounts while you are away.
Contexto cultural
In the UK, 'look after' is the standard phrase for childcare. Using 'babysit' is common, but 'look after' sounds more caring and less like a transaction. Americans use 'look after' frequently, but 'take care of' is often the first choice in casual speech. 'Look after' can sound slightly more formal or traditional in the US. In professional settings, 'looking after' a client implies a high level of personal service. It is a key phrase in the hospitality and service industries. In many Asian and African cultures, the concept of 'looking after' elders is a central pillar of society, often reflected in specific linguistic honorifics not present in English.
The 'Safe' Phrase
If you aren't sure whether to use 'babysit,' 'pet-sit,' or 'maintain,' just use 'look after.' It works for everything!
Don't Separate!
Never put a word between 'look' and 'after.' It's a team that stays together.
En 15 segundos
- To take care of or be responsible for someone or something.
- Used for pets, children, health, or even business projects.
- A warm, reliable way to describe providing care and safety.
What It Means
Look after is a warm, common way to say you are taking care of something. It means you are responsible for someone's safety or a thing's condition. Think of it like watching over a person or an object. You ensure they have what they need to stay okay. It is a very active phrase. You aren't just watching; you are helping.
How To Use It
This is a phrasal verb, so it stays together. You look after a baby, a pet, or even your own health. You can use it in the past tense as looked after. If you are doing it right now, you are looking after something. It is very flexible. You can use it for people, animals, and physical objects like a house or a car.
When To Use It
Use it when you leave your cat with a neighbor. Use it when you stay home to care for a sick sibling. It is perfect for professional settings too. You might look after a specific project at work. It shows you are reliable. It is great for texting a friend to say thanks for their help. It feels personal and kind.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for quick, one-time actions. If you just glance at a bag for one second, you aren't looking after it. Avoid using it for inanimate objects that don't need maintenance. You don't look after a sandwich before you eat it. Also, don't confuse it with look for. Look for means you lost something. Look after means you already have it and want to keep it safe.
Cultural Background
In English-speaking cultures, looking after someone is a sign of deep trust. It is often used when discussing family duties or community help. There is a famous British saying: "Look after the pennies, and the pounds will look after themselves." This means if you take care of small things, big things stay fine. It reflects a culture of responsibility and attention to detail.
Common Variations
Sometimes people say take care of, which is almost the same. In the UK, you might hear mind used similarly, like "mind the baby." However, look after is the most universal version. You can also say keep an eye on if the task is shorter. But look after implies a deeper level of responsibility and care. It sounds more committed and serious.
Notas de uso
This phrase is very safe to use in almost any situation. It is neutral in formality, making it appropriate for both a conversation with a toddler and a business meeting with a client.
The 'Safe' Phrase
If you aren't sure whether to use 'babysit,' 'pet-sit,' or 'maintain,' just use 'look after.' It works for everything!
Don't Separate!
Never put a word between 'look' and 'after.' It's a team that stays together.
Reflexive Use
Use 'look after yourself' as a warmer alternative to 'goodbye' with friends and family.
Ejemplos
6Could you look after my plants while I am on vacation?
Could you take care of my plants while I am on vacation?
Used here for simple maintenance of objects.
I need to go home and look after my younger brother.
I need to go home and take care of my younger brother.
Shows a sense of duty and care for a person.
Don't worry, I will look after the accounts while you are away.
Don't worry, I will take care of the accounts while you are away.
Demonstrates reliability in a work context.
Thanks for looking after me last night when I felt sick!
Thanks for taking care of me last night when I felt sick!
Expresses gratitude for personal support.
You better look after that laptop, it cost more than my car!
You better take care of that laptop, it cost more than my car!
Uses exaggeration to emphasize the value of an object.
You really need to look after your health and get more sleep.
You really need to take care of your health and get more sleep.
Used for self-care and abstract concepts like health.
Ponte a prueba
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'look after'.
My neighbor is ________ my cat while I am on vacation.
We use the present continuous 'is looking after' for an action happening around now (the vacation).
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Select the best option:
'Look after' is inseparable and does not take the preposition 'to'.
Match the sentence to the correct context.
Sentence: 'I'll look after the bill.'
In this context, 'look after' means taking responsibility for the payment.
Fill in the missing phrase in the dialogue.
A: I'm going to the shop. Can you ________ the kids? B: Sure, I'll play some games with them.
The speaker is asking for someone to take care of the children.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
What can you look after?
People
- • Babies
- • Elderly parents
- • Siblings
Animals
- • Cats
- • Dogs
- • Hamsters
Things
- • Cars
- • Houses
- • Luggage
Abstract
- • Business
- • Health
- • Interests
Look After vs. Look For
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosMy neighbor is ________ my cat while I am on vacation.
We use the present continuous 'is looking after' for an action happening around now (the vacation).
Select the best option:
'Look after' is inseparable and does not take the preposition 'to'.
Sentence: 'I'll look after the bill.'
In this context, 'look after' means taking responsibility for the payment.
A: I'm going to the shop. Can you ________ the kids? B: Sure, I'll play some games with them.
The speaker is asking for someone to take care of the children.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasMostly, yes. However, 'take care of' can also mean 'to deal with a problem' or 'to pay for something,' while 'look after' is strictly about guardianship and maintenance.
Yes! You can look after a house, a car, a garden, or even a piece of luggage.
No. It is just 'look after [something].' Adding 'to' is a common mistake.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss, your friends, or your children.
The past tense is 'looked after.' Example: 'I looked after my sister yesterday.'
No, it is a transitive verb. You must always say what or who you are looking after.
It is an idiom meaning to be selfish and only care about your own interests.
It is very common in both, but slightly more frequent in British English.
Yes, 'looking after your health' or 'looking after yourself' is very common.
'Watch over' sounds more protective or even spiritual, while 'look after' is more everyday and practical.
Frases relacionadas
take care of
synonymTo provide for the needs of someone or something.
keep an eye on
similarTo watch something temporarily to make sure it is safe.
look out for
similarTo be alert for potential danger to someone.
neglect
contrastTo fail to care for something properly.
