The term "look after" is spelled with five letters in each word. The first word, "look," is pronounced /lʊk/, with the "oo" making a short u sound. The second word, "after," is pronounced /ˈaftər/, with the "a" making an "ah" sound and the "e" being silent. Together, the phrase means to take care of or be responsible for something or someone. It is an important phrase in many contexts, from childcare to animal care to taking care of one's health.
"Look after" is a verb phrase commonly used in the English language, belonging to the phrasal verb family. It is characterized by the combination of the verb "look" and the preposition "after." This expression typically refers to the act of caring for, supervising, or taking responsibility for someone or something.
When used in the context of people, "look after" implies a duty to provide care and attention to someone's well-being, safety, and often involves fulfilling their needs or requirements. For instance, parents "look after" their children by ensuring they have food, shelter, and a nurturing environment.
Likewise, "look after" can also refer to tending to the welfare or maintenance of a particular object or place. For instance, when someone is entrusted to "look after" a house, it involves the responsibility of safeguarding and maintaining its integrity, cleanliness, and security.
Furthermore, "look after" can also convey the act of supervising or overseeing a situation or event. This can include managing people's actions or behavior, ensuring tasks are completed, or maintaining order in a specific environment.
In summary, "look after" is a versatile phrasal verb that encompasses a range of meanings related to caring for, supervising, and taking responsibility for someone or something's well-being, maintenance, or management.
The word "look after" comes from the combination of two separate words: "look" and "after".
The word "look" can be traced back to the Old English word "lōcian", which meant "to see" or "to observe". It later evolved into the Middle English word "loken".
The word "after" originates from the Old English word "æfter", which meant "behind" or "in the rear". It has similar origins in other Germanic languages as well.
When these two words are combined, "look after" conveys the idea of watching or observing something or someone in their absence or while they are in a vulnerable state. It developed over time to mean taking care of someone or something, being responsible for their well-being.