B1 Collocation Formel 2 min de lecture

great care

High level of attention

En 15 secondes

  • Doing something with maximum attention and gentleness.
  • Used to show you are being professional or very cautious.
  • Commonly paired with the verb 'take' or 'handle'.

Signification

This phrase means doing something with extreme attention and focus. It is like being extra gentle or careful to make sure nothing goes wrong.

Exemples clés

3 sur 6
1

Handling an old photo

Please take great care with this photo; it is the only one I have of my grandmother.

Please take great care with this photo; it is the only one I have of my grandmother.

2

Writing a professional report

We took great care to ensure all the data in the report was accurate.

We took great care to ensure all the data in the report was accurate.

3

Giving a friend a fragile gift

I carried your birthday cake with great care so the frosting wouldn't melt!

I carried your birthday cake with great care so the frosting wouldn't melt!

🌍

Contexte culturel

In the UK, 'great care' is often used in public safety announcements (e.g., 'Please take great care when alighting from the train'). It sounds polite but firm. In US corporate culture, 'taking great care' is a 'power phrase' used to demonstrate accountability and high standards to clients. When translating from Japanese, 'great care' is the best way to capture the spirit of 'Omotenashi' (wholehearted hospitality) in service contexts. In the global art world, this phrase is the standard for describing the preservation of cultural heritage.

🎯

Use it in Emails

When sending a sensitive document, write: 'I have taken great care to ensure all details are accurate.' It builds instant trust.

⚠️

No 'A'

Remember: 'with great care', NOT 'with a great care'. This is the most common mistake for B1 students.

En 15 secondes

  • Doing something with maximum attention and gentleness.
  • Used to show you are being professional or very cautious.
  • Commonly paired with the verb 'take' or 'handle'.

What It Means

Great care is all about going the extra mile. It means you aren't just being careful. You are being extremely careful. Think of it like holding a tiny, sleeping kitten. You wouldn't just hold it; you would use great care to not wake it up. It implies a sense of responsibility and high quality.

How To Use It

You usually use this phrase with the verb take. You can say, "I took great care with the project." You can also use it with verbs like handle or treat. It acts like a powerful adverb. It tells people that you really respect the object or person you are talking about. It shows you are a professional or a very kind person.

When To Use It

Use this when the stakes are high. Use it when you are talking about fragile things like glass. Use it when talking about sensitive feelings. It's perfect for a job interview. Tell them you take great care with your work. It makes you sound reliable and detail-oriented. Use it when giving a gift that is very expensive or old.

When NOT To Use It

Don't use it for small, boring tasks. If you are just brushing your teeth, don't say you use great care. That sounds a bit dramatic! Avoid it in very fast, messy situations. If you are rushing to catch a bus, you aren't taking great care. It’s a slow, intentional phrase. Using it for laundry might make your friends laugh at you.

Cultural Background

In English-speaking cultures, this phrase is tied to the idea of craftsmanship. It comes from a history of artisans and doctors. It suggests that the person doing the action is an expert. It’s a very positive thing to say about someone’s work ethic. It shows you value quality over speed. In the UK and US, it's often seen in museum signs or high-end product manuals.

Common Variations

You might hear people say utmost care for even more intensity. Some might say extra care in casual settings. With care is the basic version. Handle with care is the classic warning on shipping boxes. If you want to sound very fancy, you can say meticulous care. But great care is the perfect middle ground for everyone.

Notes d'usage

The phrase is highly versatile and fits almost any context. Just remember to pair it with 'take' or 'with' to sound natural.

🎯

Use it in Emails

When sending a sensitive document, write: 'I have taken great care to ensure all details are accurate.' It builds instant trust.

⚠️

No 'A'

Remember: 'with great care', NOT 'with a great care'. This is the most common mistake for B1 students.

💬

The 'Fragile' Connection

If you see a box labeled 'Fragile', the unspoken instruction is 'Handle with great care'.

Exemples

6
#1 Handling an old photo

Please take great care with this photo; it is the only one I have of my grandmother.

Please take great care with this photo; it is the only one I have of my grandmother.

Shows emotional value and the need for physical gentleness.

#2 Writing a professional report

We took great care to ensure all the data in the report was accurate.

We took great care to ensure all the data in the report was accurate.

Demonstrates professionalism and attention to detail.

#3 Giving a friend a fragile gift

I carried your birthday cake with great care so the frosting wouldn't melt!

I carried your birthday cake with great care so the frosting wouldn't melt!

A friendly way to show you put effort into something for them.

#4 A doctor talking to a patient

The surgeons took great care during the procedure.

The surgeons took great care during the procedure.

Very formal and reassuring context.

#5 Texting about a borrowed car

Don't worry, I'll take great care of your car while you're away.

Don't worry, I'll take great care of your car while you're away.

Informal promise of responsibility.

#6 A funny warning to a clumsy friend

Please take great care not to trip over your own feet today!

Please take great care not to trip over your own feet today!

Using a serious phrase for a silly situation creates humor.

Teste-toi

Complete the sentence with the correct form of the phrase.

The surgeon performed the operation with _______ _______.

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : great care

We don't use 'a' with 'care' in this context, and 'big' is not the standard collocation.

Which sentence is grammatically correct?

Choose the best option:

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : I take great care with my homework.

We use 'with' for the object of our care.

Fill in the missing line.

Mover: 'Where should I put this box of mirrors?' Owner: 'Over there, but please _______.'

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : handle it with great care

'Handle it with great care' is the standard instruction for fragile items.

Match the phrase to the situation.

Which situation best fits 'taking great care to avoid a mistake'?

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : Entering a password

Entering a password requires precision and attention to detail.

🎉 Score : /4

Aides visuelles

When to use Great Care

🏺

Physical

  • Antiques
  • Babies
  • Electronics
🤝

Emotional

  • Secrets
  • Bad News
  • Apologies
📐

Professional

  • Coding
  • Surgery
  • Legal Contracts

Banque d exercices

4 exercices
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the phrase. Fill Blank B1

The surgeon performed the operation with _______ _______.

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : great care

We don't use 'a' with 'care' in this context, and 'big' is not the standard collocation.

Which sentence is grammatically correct? Choose B1

Choose the best option:

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : I take great care with my homework.

We use 'with' for the object of our care.

Fill in the missing line. dialogue_completion B1

Mover: 'Where should I put this box of mirrors?' Owner: 'Over there, but please _______.'

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : handle it with great care

'Handle it with great care' is the standard instruction for fragile items.

Match the phrase to the situation. situation_matching A2

Which situation best fits 'taking great care to avoid a mistake'?

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : Entering a password

Entering a password requires precision and attention to detail.

🎉 Score : /4

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Yes, it is more formal than 'being careful'. It is perfect for work and writing.

Yes, but 'great care' is much more common as a fixed phrase.

'Utmost care' is even stronger. It means the absolute maximum care possible.

'Take care of' means to look after (like a pet). 'Take care with' means to be precise with an object.

Yes, you can handle a person's feelings with great care.

Yes, 'big care' sounds very unnatural. Always use 'great'.

Use 'took': 'I took great care with the project.'

Yes, that is a more informal way to say the same thing.

Very often. Doctors 'exercise great care' during procedures.

'Carelessness' or 'negligence'.

Expressions liées

🔗

handle with care

similar

A specific instruction for fragile items.

🔗

take care

builds on

A way to say goodbye or be safe.

🔄

meticulous attention

synonym

Extreme focus on small details.

🔗

tender loving care

specialized form

Care provided with affection (TLC).

🔗

utmost care

specialized form

The highest possible level of care.

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