Phrasal verb
care for
Definitions
01to look after
B1 · Intermediate
phr.v. to look after someone who is young, old, or sick and provide what they need.
phr.v. to provide physical or emotional care for a person who is unable to look after themselves independently.
日本語:いたわる※
“He stayed at home for two weeks to care for his elderly mother after her surgery.”
“The charity provides essential resources for families who care for children with complex physical disabilities at home.”
Usage
This is an inseparable phrasal verb; the object always follows 'for'.
Teaching tip
While 'look after' is more common in daily speech, 'care for' is often used in professional or medical contexts.
Synonyms
02to like or want
B2 · Upper Intermediate Formal
phr.v. to like something, or to want something when someone offers it to you.
phr.v. to have an affection for someone or a preference for something; frequently used in negative constructions or formal interrogatives.
“Would you care for a cup of tea while you wait for your appointment?”
“To be honest, I don't much care for modern jazz, as I find the lack of a clear melody quite distracting.”
Usage
Often appears in the negative ('I don't care for...') to show a polite dislike.
Teaching tip
In modern English, this is much more common in the negative to mean 'I don't like it' or in polite offers like 'Would you care for...?'
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “care for” in context.
Verb
01. care for elderly relatives
“Many people have to reduce their working hours to care for elderly relatives at home.”
verb + prep + adj
02. care for sick children
“The charity provides specialized nurses to care for sick children in the hospital.”
verb + prep + adj
03. lovingly care for the garden
“She lovingly cared for the garden every morning until the flowers were in full bloom.”
adv + verb
04. not care for spicy food
“I don't really care for spicy food, so I usually order the mildest curry on the menu.”
verb + prep + adj
Adverb
05. deeply care for each other
“It was obvious to everyone at the wedding that the couple deeply cared for each other.”
adv + verb
06. properly care for the equipment
“If you don't properly care for the equipment, it will break within a few months.”
adv + verb
Teaching tip
distinguish between the 'provide care' sense (active) and the 'like' sense (stative); the latter is often used politely, such as 'Would you care for some tea?'.
Real-World Examples
“Caring for her dad, who died in January, was stressful but also meaningful, she says.” “I want to care for my dad; he cared for us.” “A mum who gave up work to care for her disabled daughter who needs constant supervision says unpaid carers feel "used" and have to "fight for everything".” Phrasal verb
Particles
for
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
care + for + object
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Level
- B1 · IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/care-for
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0