Concern vs. Care — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 12, 2024
Concern often implies worry or unease about a situation or person, while Care suggests attention, protection, or affection towards someone or something.
Difference Between Concern and Care
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Concern usually denotes a feeling of worry, anxiety, or interest regarding a situation or the well-being of someone. It involves emotional engagement with potential problems or risks, as in expressing concern for a friend's health. On the other hand, Care implies a deeper level of involvement, often associated with actions taken to ensure the welfare, protection, or nurturing of someone or something. Providing care for a child or a pet, for instance, encompasses a range of supportive and protective actions.
While concern can be more passive, involving feelings or thoughts about potential issues, care usually entails active engagement and practical measures aimed at supporting or improving the situation or individual's condition.
Concern can be momentary and specific to certain issues or circumstances, such as being concerned about an upcoming exam. In contrast, care often denotes a more sustained and comprehensive commitment, like the ongoing care for a family member.
Moreover, one can express concern without necessarily taking action, reflecting empathy or sympathy towards a situation. However, care usually involves a commitment to act or provide support, highlighting a more hands-on approach to addressing the needs or well-being of others.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Worry or unease about a situation or person.
Attention, protection, or affection towards someone/something.
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Emotional Tone
Often implies worry or anxiety.
Suggests a nurturing or protective attitude.
Level of Involvement
Can be passive, involving feelings or thoughts.
Usually active, involving practical measures of support.
Duration
Can be momentary or issue-specific.
Often denotes a sustained, ongoing commitment.
Action vs. Feeling
May not involve direct action, more about emotional response.
Involves active engagement and support.
Compare with Definitions
Concern
Feeling uneasy about a friend's health issues.
Her concern for his well-being kept her awake at night.
Care
Providing for a child's or pet's needs.
She took great care in raising her children.
Concern
Temporary worry about an upcoming event.
His main concern was the final exam next week.
Care
Actions taken to protect someone's welfare.
The wildlife sanctuary provides care for endangered species.
Concern
Empathy towards a situation without direct action.
She expressed her concern about the crisis but felt helpless.
Care
Ongoing support for a family member.
His care for his elderly parents was admirable.
Concern
Focused worry about a particular problem.
The environmental concern has led to widespread activism.
Care
Showing love and affection through actions.
Her care for her friends is evident in her deeds.
Concern
Work-related attention to detail or issues.
His concern for quality resulted in exceptional products.
Care
Providing medical support and attention.
The nurse provided exceptional care to her patients.
Concern
Relate to; be about
The report is mainly concerned with 1984 onwards
The story concerns a friend of mine
Care
A concerned or troubled state of mind, as that arising from serious responsibility; worry.
Concern
Make (someone) anxious or worried
Don't concern yourself, old boy—my lips are sealed
The roof of the barn concerns me because eventually it will fall in
Care
An object or source of worry, attention, or solicitude
The many cares of a working parent.
Concern
Anxiety; worry
Carole gazed at her with concern
Care
Interest, regard, or liking
Did not show the least care for her.
Concern
A matter of interest or importance to someone
Housing is the concern of the Housing Executive
The prospect should be of concern to us all
Care
Close attention, as in doing something well or avoiding harm
Painted the trim with care.
Concern
A business
The town's only travel agent was a small, debt-ridden concern
Care
Upkeep; maintenance
A product for the care of fine floors.
Hair care products.
Concern
A complicated or awkward object.
Care
Watchful oversight; charge or supervision
Left the child in the care of a neighbor.
Concern
To have to do with or relate to
An article that concerns the plight of homeless people.
Care
Attentive assistance or treatment to those in need
A hospital that provides emergency care.
Concern
To be of interest or importance to
This problem concerns all of us.
Care
To be concerned or interested
Once inside, we didn't care whether it rained or not.
Concern
To engage the attention of; involve
We concerned ourselves with accomplishing the task at hand.
Care
To provide needed assistance or watchful supervision
Cared for the wounded.
Caring for an aged relative at home.
Concern
To cause anxiety or uneasiness in
The firm's weak financial posture is starting to concern its stockholders.
Care
To object or mind
If no one cares, I'll smoke.
Concern
To be of importance.
Care
To have a liking or attachment
Didn't care for the movie.
Concern
A matter that relates to or affects one
What I do is not your concern.
Care
To have a wish; be inclined
Would you care for another helping?.
Concern
Regard for or interest in someone or something
His concern for you is genuine.
Care
To wish; desire
Would you care to dance?.
Concern
A troubled or anxious state of mind
A frown that expressed great concern.
Care
To be concerned to the degree of
I don't care a bit what critics think.
Concern
A business establishment or enterprise; a firm.
Care
(obsolete) Grief, sorrow. 19
Concern
That which affects one’s welfare or happiness. A matter of interest to someone.
Mark’s health was of great concern to Connie.
Care
Close attention; concern; responsibility.
Care should be taken when holding babies.
Concern
The placement of interest or worry on a subject.
Most people in Australia have no concern for the recent events in London.
Care
Worry.
I don't have a care in the world.
Concern
A worry; a sense that something may be wrong; an identification of a possible problem.
Let me know if you have any questions or concerns about the document.
Care
Maintenance, upkeep.
Dental care
Concern
The expression of solicitude, anxiety, or compassion toward a thing or person.
Judy's eyes filled with concern as she listened to the news report.
Care
The treatment of those in need (especially as a profession).
Concern
A business, firm or enterprise; a company.
The employees’ attitude is really hurting the concern.
A going concern
Care
The state of being cared for by others.
In care
Concern
(programming) Any set of information that affects the code of a computer program.
Care
The object of watchful attention or anxiety.
Concern
(transitive) To relate or belong to; to have reference to or connection with; to affect the interest of; to be of importance to.
Care
To be concerned (about), to have an interest (in); to feel concern (about).
"She doesn't care what you think." "I don't care, I'm still going."
Concern
(transitive) To engage by feeling or sentiment; to interest.
A good prince concerns himself in the happiness of his subjects.
Care
To want, to desire; to like; to be inclined towards.
Would you care for another slice of cake?
Would you care to dance?
I don't care to hear your opinion.
Concern
(transitive) To make somebody worried.
I’m concerned that she’s becoming an alcoholic.
Care
For it to matter to, or make any difference to.
Concern
To relate or belong to; to have reference to or connection with; to affect the interest of; to be of importance to.
Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ.
Our wars with France have affected us in our most tender interests, and concerned us more than those with any other nation.
It much concerns a preacher first to learnThe genius of his audience and their turn.
Ignorant, so far as the usual instruction is concerned.
Care
(intransitive) (with for) To look after or look out for.
Young children can learn to care for a pet.
He cared for his mother while she was sick.
Concern
To engage by feeling or sentiment; to interest; as, a good prince concerns himself in the happiness of his subjects.
They think themselves out the reach of Providence, and no longer concerned to solicit his favor.
Care
To mind; to object.
Concern
To be of importance.
Which to deny concerns more than avails.
Care
A burdensome sense of responsibility; trouble caused by onerous duties; anxiety; concern; solicitude.
Care keeps his watch in every old man's eye,And where care lodges, sleep will never lie.
Concern
That which relates or belongs to one; business; affair.
The private concerns of fanilies.
Care
Charge, oversight, or management, implying responsibility for safety and prosperity.
The care of all the churches.
Him thy care must be to find.
Perplexed with a thousand cares.
Concern
That which affects the welfare or happiness; interest; moment.
Mysterious secrets of a high concern.
Care
Attention or heed; caution; regard; heedfulness; watchfulness; as, take care; have a care.
I thank thee for thy care and honest pains.
Concern
Interest in, or care for, any person or thing; regard; solicitude; anxiety.
O Marcia, let me hope thy kind concernsAnd gentle wishes follow me to battle.
Care
The object of watchful attention or anxiety.
Right sorrowfully mourning her bereaved cares.
Concern
Persons connected in business; a firm and its business; as, a banking concern.
Care
To be anxious or solicitous; to be concerned; to have regard or interest; - sometimes followed by an objective of measure.
I would not care a pin, if the other three were in.
Master, carest thou not that we perish?
He cared not for the affection of the house.
Concern
Something that interests you because it is important or affects you;
The safety of the ship is the captain's concern
Care
The work of caring for or attending to someone or something;
No medical care was required
The old car needed constant attention
Concern
An anxious feeling;
Care had aged him
They hushed it up out of fear of public reaction
Care
Judiciousness in avoiding harm or danger;
He exercised caution in opening the door
He handled the vase with care
Concern
A commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it;
He bought his brother's business
A small mom-and-pop business
A racially integrated business concern
Care
An anxious feeling;
Care had aged him
They hushed it up out of fear of public reaction
Concern
Something or someone that causes anxiety; a source of unhappiness;
New York traffic is a constant concern
It's a major worry
Care
A cause for feeling concern;
His major care was the illness of his wife
Concern
A feeling of sympathy for someone or something;
She felt strong concern for those less fortunate
Care
Attention and management implying responsibility for safety;
He is in the care of a bodyguard
Concern
Have to do with or be relevant to;
There were lots of questions referring to her talk
My remark pertained to your earlier comments
Care
Activity involved in maintaining something in good working order;
He wrote the manual on car care
Concern
Be on the mind of;
I worry about the second Germanic consonant
Care
Feel concern or interest;
I really care about my work
I don't care
Care
Provide care for;
The nurse was caring for the wounded
Care
Prefer or wish to do something;
Do you care to try this dish?
Would you like to come along to the movies?
Care
Be in charge of, act on, or dispose of;
I can deal with this crew of workers
This blender can't handle nuts
She managed her parents' affairs after they got too old
Care
Be concerned with;
I worry about my grades
Common Curiosities
How does "care" manifest in actions?
Care involves practical measures of support, protection, and nurturing.
What characterizes "concern" in emotional terms?
Concern typically involves feelings of worry or anxiety about a situation or individual.
Can someone show concern without taking action?
Yes, concern can be expressed as empathy or worry without direct involvement.
Is "care" always long-term?
Often, but not necessarily; care can also refer to short-term acts of support or protection.
Can "concern" lead to positive actions?
Yes, concern can motivate individuals to address issues or provide support.
How do professionals express concern in their work?
Through attentive and meticulous focus on quality and problem-solving.
How do cultural perspectives influence expressions of concern and care?
Cultural norms and values can shape how openly and in what manner concern and care are expressed and perceived.
Does showing care always imply emotional attachment?
Typically, though professional or duty-based care might be less emotionally driven.
How can concern be expressed constructively?
By using it as a catalyst for informed action, support, or problem-solving.
Is it possible to care for inanimate objects or concepts?
Yes, one can care for belongings, projects, or environmental causes, for example.
How does one show care in a medical context?
Through attentive medical treatment, support, and patient advocacy.
Can concern be seen as negative?
It can be, if it leads to excessive worry or anxiety without constructive outcomes.
Is care limited to personal relationships?
No, care can extend to professional duties, community service, and environmental stewardship.
Does care require emotional involvement?
Often it does, as care typically involves a degree of personal investment and empathy.
Can concern and care coexist in a situation?
Absolutely, concern can lead to caring actions, and caring can involve concerns for the well-being of others.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
