The noun and verb care combine with different prepositions depending on meaning. With care is a common fixed phrase, while of care is uncommon in modern English.
Use with care to mean carefully. Use care for mainly with the verb care, meaning “look after” or “like.” Of care is rare and usually appears in formal expressions such as a matter of care.
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
With care is a fixed expression meaning carefully and attentively.
Care for as a verb means to look after someone.
Care for can also mean like or want, often in questions and negatives.
Of care is rare and formal. It appears in limited expressions rather than everyday speech.
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Care for is the normal verb phrase.
✕ She for care her father. ✓ She cares for her father.This expression sounds formal and uncommon in ordinary conversation.
✕ This is of care for me. ✓ I care about this.With care is usually used after verbs such as handle, pack, or speak.
✕ He with care answered the question. ✓ He answered the question with care.Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
Paste the complete sentence below. Linguix checks the preposition together with grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style.
Yes. It commonly means carefully or attentively.
Yes. In many contexts, especially questions and negatives, care for means like or want.
No. It is rare and usually formal. Everyday English normally uses other expressions.
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