Cool MateCareful with that thing vs Take care
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Careful with that thing
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Take care
Top 1,000 (very common)
Most formal: Take careMost common: Take care
| Careful with that thing | Take care | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈkeəfəl wɪð ðæt θɪŋ//🇺🇸 //ˈkerfəl wɪð ðæt θɪŋ// | 🇬🇧 //teɪk kɛə//🇺🇸 //teɪk kɛr// |
| Meaning | Be cautious when using or handling something. | Be careful or look after yourself. |
| Example | I said, 'Careful with that thing!' as she picked up the glass vase. | As you drive home, remember to take care on the slippery roads. |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| Collocations | Careful with your words, Careful with the fragile items, Careful with the equipment | take care of yourself, take care of business, please take care, take care when driving, take care in difficult situations |
| Common mistakes | Using it in overly formal contexts., Not addressing who the warning is directed to., Ignoring the context of potential danger or delicacy. | Using it in very formal situations, which may feel too casual., Confusing with similar phrases like 'take it easy' which has a different meaning. |
| Usage notes | Used informally to warn someone to be cautious with an object, often used when the object seems dangerous or delicate. | Used to show concern for someone's well-being. More common in informal contexts among friends and family. |
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Frequently asked questions: Careful with that thing vs Take care
What's the difference between Careful with that thing and Take care?
Careful with that thing: Be cautious when using or handling something. Take care: Be careful or look after yourself.
Which is more formal: Careful with that thing and Take care?
Take care is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Careful with that thing and Take care?
Take care is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Careful with that thing: I said, 'Careful with that thing!' as she picked up the glass vase. Take care: As you drive home, remember to take care on the slippery roads.
Can I use Careful with that thing and Take care interchangeably?
Not always. Careful with that thing and Take care are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.