Phrasal verb
care about sth
Definition
phrasal verb. To think something is important and be interested in it. You often use it to talk about your feelings, values, or what worries you.
phrasal verb. To consider something important, significant, or worthy of concern. This transitive phrasal verb expresses emotional investment or personal values regarding its object.
Examples
“She really cares about the environment.”
“He pretends not to care about his grades, but he secretly studies every night.”
“While the board focused on quarterly profits, only the founder seemed to care about the long-term ethical implications of their new technology.”
Examples
simple
“She really cares about the environment.”
contextual
“He pretends not to care about his grades, but he secretly studies every night.”
complex
“While the board focused on quarterly profits, only the founder seemed to care about the long-term ethical implications of their new technology.”
Usage
Typically followed by an issue, a person, or a principle that is important to the subject.
Teaching tip
Contrast with 'care for', which can mean 'look after' (I care for my elderly parents) or 'like' (I don't care for spicy food).
Pitfall
I don't care for what you think.
I don't care about what you think.
'Care for' means to like or look after, while 'care about' means to consider something important.
Phrasal verb
Particles
about
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
care + about + object