The word care is often confused. It is used both as a verb and as a noun and has a meaning similar to concern. Care is also used in some common phrasal verbs. Study the following examples carefully.
Care as a verb
To care is to take an interest in something, to feel concerned about something or to have feelings about something.
- We don’t care what happens.
The verb care is most common in questions and negative sentences. If there is an object we use care about. Note that about is usually dropped before a conjunction.
- He doesn’t care about his health. (NOT He doesn’t care his health.)
About is dropped before a conjunction.
- I don’t care whether she likes it or not. (NOT I don’t care about whether she likes it or not.)
Care as a noun
As a noun care means worry or anxiety. It has a plural form – cares.
- He doesn’t have many cares.
- The care of my children is my first priority.
Take care of
Take care of means ‘look after’.
- She doesn’t take good care of her children.
- Who takes care of sick people?
- You need to take care of your health if you want to live longer.
When used without a preposition take care means ‘be careful’.
- Take care while crossing the road.
Care for
Care for can mean look after. It is mainly used in formal or literary writing. Care for can also mean have a liking for.
Do you care for classical music?
I don’t care for cricket.