“To care for” or “to care about”?

“To care for” and “to care about” are both prepositional verbs. The meanings are similar but slightly different.

If I say I care for someone, I might mean that:

• I have feelings towards them. For example:
  • I care very deeply for my wife.
  • The longer I know you, the more I care for you.
• I look after them. For example:
  • I care for my mother who has been very ill.
  • My job is to care for people who are less fortunate than me

To care for is also often used negatively. If I say I don’t care for something, I mean that:

• I don’t really like it. For example:
  • I don’t care for spicy food.
  • I don’t care for hot weather.

If I say I care about someone or something, I might mean that:

• I am interested in or concerned about them. For example:
  • I care about the people who are suffering.
  • I care about climate change.

To care about is also often used negatively. If I say I don’t care about something, I mean that:

• I’m not really interested in it. For example:
  • I don’t care about whether Manchester United win or lose.
  • I don’t care about what happens to him.

For more about prepositional verbs, please visit: https://grahamsgrammar.com/prepositional-verbs/

_{Thanks to Alina for the question}