Meaning
To be responsible for someone or something; to care for.
Cultural Background
In the UK, 'looking after' someone is often associated with the NHS or care services, but also very common in informal family settings. In the US, 'looking after' is frequently used in the context of 'looking after one's own interests' in business. Australians often use 'look after' to mean 'to pay for' in a casual way, like 'I'll look after the bill'.
Remember the 'Care' rule
If you can replace it with 'care for', then 'look after' is the right choice.
Don't split it
Never put the object between 'look' and 'after'.
Meaning
To be responsible for someone or something; to care for.
Remember the 'Care' rule
If you can replace it with 'care for', then 'look after' is the right choice.
Don't split it
Never put the object between 'look' and 'after'.
Casual usage
It is perfectly fine to use this in professional emails when discussing tasks.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct phrase.
Can you _____ my dog while I am at work?
You need to care for the dog, so 'look after' is correct.
Which sentence is correct?
Choose the correct sentence.
Phrasal verbs must stay together.
Match the situation to the meaning.
You are at the park and see a lost child. What do you do?
You are taking responsibility for their safety.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'I'm going to the store.' B: 'Don't worry, I'll _____ the baby.'
The speaker is offering to care for the baby.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesCan you _____ my dog while I am at work?
You need to care for the dog, so 'look after' is correct.
Choose the correct sentence.
Phrasal verbs must stay together.
You are at the park and see a lost child. What do you do?
You are taking responsibility for their safety.
A: 'I'm going to the store.' B: 'Don't worry, I'll _____ the baby.'
The speaker is offering to care for the baby.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsYes, you can look after a house, a car, or a project.
It is neutral. It works in almost any situation.
Look after, looks after, looking after, looked after.
Yes, they are synonyms.
No, never use 'for' after 'look after'.
Yes, it is common to say 'I look after the accounts'.
Yes, it implies supervision.
Not confusing it with 'look for'.
Related Phrases
Take care of
synonymTo handle or look after.
Watch over
similarTo guard or protect.
Look for
contrastTo search.
