Confusing ‘care of‘ with ‘care about‘ can lead to awkward emails or even lost mail. Here is how to tell them apart instantly.
Quick summary: The main difference
- Care of refers to responsibility, supervision, or a physical delivery address.
- Care about refers to feelings, importance, or emotional concern.
| Phrase | Primary meaning | Context |
| Care of | Under the supervision or agency of | Mail, fixing things, looking after objects |
| Care about | To feel concern or interest | Relationships, hobbies, social causes |
How to use care of
The phrase “care of” is most often used when someone is acting as an intermediary or when an object is being maintained.
1. In mailing addresses (c/o)
When sending a letter to someone who does not live at that specific address (in the USA), you use the abbreviation c/o. This tells the postal service that the recipient is a guest at that location. According to official USPS addressing standards, the ‘care of’ line should appear directly below the recipient’s name.
- Example: “Send the package to Jane Doe, c/o John Smith, 456 Oak Lane.”
- Meaning: Jane Doe is the recipient, but she is currently at John Smith’s house.
Note: The abbreviation c/o is usually written in lowercase, though “C/O” is also acceptable on formal shipping labels.
To make sure your ‘care of’ address is perfectly legible, we recommend using high-quality self-sealing envelopes or customizable address labels to prevent any smudging or delivery delays.
2. Assuming responsibility
It is frequently paired with the verb “take” to describe managing a task or looking after a person’s needs.
- Example: “The landlord took care of the leaky faucet.”
- Example: “The babysitter had care of the children for the weekend.”
How to use care about
“Care about” is almost always personal. Use this phrase when you are discussing values, priorities, or affection.
1. Expressing concern or affection
This highlights your emotional connection to a person or a group.
- Example: “I care about my family’s well-being.”
- Example: “He truly cares about his employees.”
2. Indicating importance
Use “care about” to show that a specific topic or outcome matters to you.
- Example: “She doesn’t care about winning; she just wants to have fun.”
- Example: “As a company, we care about environmental sustainability.”
Care of vs. care for: Is there a difference?
Many people confuse ‘care of’ with ‘care for.’ While ‘care of’ is procedural, Merriam-Webster’s definition of ‘care for’ covers both the physical act of looking after someone and the emotional state of having a fondness for them.
- Care of: Focuses on the responsibility.
- Care for: Focuses on the action of providing help or the feeling of liking.
Continue learning:
Frequently asked questions about “care of” and “care about”
Conclusion: Why these small words matter
Getting “care of” and “care about” right ensures your mail ends up in the right hands and your feelings aren’t misinterpreted. Use care of for the “how” (logistics) and care about for the “who” or “why” (emotions).
Join the conversation
Did this guide help clear up the “c/o” confusion for you? Language is always evolving, and we would love to hear your thoughts.
- Have a question? Drop a comment below if you have a specific sentence you’re unsure about, and we will help you fix it!
- Found this helpful? Share this article with a friend or colleague who might be struggling with their business English or mailing labels.
- What should we cover next? Let us know which tricky English phrases trip you up the most.
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