Cool MateLook after the others vs Shepherd
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Look after the others
Top 2,000 (common)
Shepherd
Top 3,000 (common)
Most common: Look after the others
| Look after the others | Shepherd | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //lʊk ˈɑːftə ðə ˈʌðəz//🇺🇸 //lʊk ˈæftər ði ˈʌðərz// | 🇬🇧 //ˈʃɛpəd//🇺🇸 //ˈʃɛpərd// |
| Meaning | to take care of other people | A person who takes care of sheep. |
| Example | She promised to look after the others during the trip. | The shepherd guided the sheep through the valley. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| Collocations | look after children, look after a pet, look after the elderly | shepherd's dog, shepherd's pie, shepherd's crook |
| Antonyms | - | follower, disperser |
| Common mistakes | Omitting 'the' before 'others'., Using it in a possessive form, e.g., 'look after others' instead of 'look after the others'., Confusing it with 'look for', which means to search. | Confused with 'shepherdess' for female shepherds, though it's less common now., Using 'shepherd' only as a verb instead of recognizing its noun form. |
| Usage notes | Use this phrase when emphasizing care for others. It's appropriate in personal and professional contexts. | Commonly used to refer to both the profession and a metaphorical guide; avoid using in overly formal contexts. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Look after the others vs Shepherd
What's the difference between Look after the others and Shepherd?
Look after the others: to take care of other people Shepherd: A person who takes care of sheep.
Which is more common: Look after the others and Shepherd?
Look after the others is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Look after the others: She promised to look after the others during the trip. Shepherd: The shepherd guided the sheep through the valley.
Can I use Look after the others and Shepherd interchangeably?
Not always. Look after the others and Shepherd 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.