care for someone
/keər fɔːr ˈsʌmwʌn/
Meaning
This phrase has two common meanings. First, it means to feel affection, love, or deep concern for someone. Second, it can mean to look after or take care of someone who needs help, such as a child or an elderly relative.
Examples
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He really cares for her and wants her to be happy.
He really cares for her and wants her to be happy.
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She spent years caring for her elderly grandmother at home.
She spent years caring for her elderly grandmother at home.
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It is obvious that they deeply care for one another.
It is obvious that they deeply care for one another.
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I don't think he cares for me the way I care for him.
I don't think he cares for me the way I care for him.
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As a nurse, her primary job is to care for patients in the recovery room.
As a nurse, her primary job is to care for patients in the recovery room.
Common Mistakes
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✗ She cares about her sick mother all day.
✓ She cares for her sick mother all day.
'Care about' means to find someone or something important, while 'care for' means to physically look after or provide physical assistance to them.
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✗ I very care for him.
✓ I care for him very much.
'Care' is a verb here, so we modify it with 'very much' at the end of the clause, not with 'very' directly before the verb.
Related Expressions
Practice
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She took a few weeks off work to care ___ her sick child.
💡 This preposition is used when looking after someone.
Show answer
for
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It's clear that they deeply care ___ each other.
💡 The phrase means having strong affectionate feelings.
Show answer
for