If you’ve spent any time listening to English speakers, you’ll know that we have LOTS of phrasal verbs with take and look!
It would be impossible to teach you all of them in one lesson (sorry!) but I want to review a few of the more common ones that often get mixed up.
The reason they get mixed up is that they sound similar and you might have ‘false translations’ in your own language.
Watch the video below 👇 (or continue reading) to clarify the different meanings with natural examples.
Oh, and I also encourage you to make your own examples while watching/reading because this will really help them to stick in your head!
Did you try the quiz at the end of the video?
Phrasal verbs with take and look
TAKE AFTER SBY – Be similar to an older member of your family in appearance OR personality
Jessica has blonde hair and blue eyes. She takes after her Mum who is very fair too.
Jonah is a very shy, thoughtful boy. He takes after his Dad in that way.
TAKE CARE OF SBY/STH – Be responsible for somebody/something
My husband takes care of all the paperwork.
Can you take care of our cat while we’re on holiday?
LOOK AFTER SBY/STH – Same meaning as above
Can you look after my son this after while I’m at my doctors appointment?
LOOK FOR SBY/STH – Search for somebody/something
Can you help me look for my glasses? I can’t find them anywhere!
LOOK LIKE SBY – Have a similar appearance to somebody (but it doesn’t need to be someone in your family)
Her new boyfriend looks like Brad Pitt!
You look exactly like my neighbour!
Tina looks just like her sister. They could be twins!
NOTE: ‘look like’ belongs with a noun (Brad Pitt, neighbour, sister). If you want to use an adjective, just use look without like. For example, ‘You look sad today.’
Make examples for YOURSELF
As I said earlier, it’s a great idea to make your own examples that are true for you. That way, these phrasal verbs with take and look will stick in your head. You can leave your examples in the comments below if you’d like me to check them for you!
Plus, don’t forget to try the quiz at the end of the phrasal verbs video lesson to test yourself! 😉
8 Responses
Everyone says I look like my Mum but I think I look like my Dad!
That is a fantastic example Marie – great work 🤩
-She has the same stature as her father. Probably she takes after her father, who is very tall too.
-Yes, but she is still looking for a new opportunity to look like her mother, although she is taking care of her father.
Your first example is great Lesia! lovely use of ‘take after’.
I’m a little bit confused about your second one. Maybe it’s just that the context is not clear. Is her father sick? Feel free to have another try 😊
My son takes after me so much. He’s almost a copy of me!
I love this example Dongyal! It sounds so natural! And it’s great that it’s a personal example as that’ll help you to remember the phrasal verb 😊
Hi Nicki,
I have blue eyes. I take after my dad. But I don’t look like him completely. My colour’s hair isn’t the same.
That’s a great example Eric and you’ve used ‘take after’ and ‘look like’ perfectly.
Just a tiny correction – swap hair and colour (My hair colour isn’t the same)
Thanks for sharing your sentence with us 😊