TO BE careful (with) VS. TO TAKE care (of)

The following is a common mistake students make:

You have to take care to be careful when you are at the beach all day long...don't forget to wear your sunscreen!

Tourists must take care be careful crossing the border.

TO BE CAREFUL (WITH)

We use this phrasal verb to warn others of danger, to be more cautious, or to avoid an accident.  We use the preposition "with" before the noun (an object or a person):

Ex.

1.  You have to be careful with the computer when you pack it in your luggage.
2.  My son is always careful with his toys and has never broken anything!
3.  He is also very careful with his younger brother who is only six months old.
4.  Parents always tell their children to be careful when they cross the street.

TO TAKE CARE (OF)

We use this phrasal verb to assume responsibility for others and their well-being or to be in charge of a certain task.  

1.  First thing Monday morning, we need to take care of some important business.

2.  Why don't you take better care of your brand new car?

3.  Many people procrastinate and take care of things tomorrow rather than today.

4.  Every other weekend, I take care of my nephew and niece.
5.  "It was great to see you!  Take care!"

What's the difference between THAT and WHICH?

The usage of that and which causes confusion, not only for students learning English as a second or foreign language, but also for native speakers of English.  Therefore, this topic can be a bit complicated for any speaker of English...The following will help clarify the major difference between the two: 

 

THAT

• That is used to describe essential information, necessary to express the meaning of the sentence.  The grammatical term for this is restrictive.  (Note: That always refers to the word preceeding it.)

Examples:

1. The house that was built by my grandfather built now belongs to another family in Nebraska. 
2. The woman that spoke at the conference yesterday gave me some useful information for our next project.

WHICH

• Which, on the other hand, is used for nonessential or extra information, not necessary to complete a sentence.  Commas are used with which but not with that.  This is referred to as non-restrictive.  (Note: Which can refer to the word preceeding it OR to another word in the sentence.)

Examples:

    1.

• The house that was built by my grandfather now belongs to another family in Nebraska, which is now worth three times as much.  (which refers to house) 
• The house that was built by my grandfather now belongs to another family in Nebraska, which is a state in the Midwest.  (which refers to Nebraska) 
• The house that was built by my grandfather now belongs to another family in Nebraska, which is a real shame.  (which refers to the belonging to another family.)

    2.

•  The woman that spoke at the conference yesterday gave me some useful information for our next project, which will start in one month. (which refers to project)
• The woman that spoke at the conference yesterday gave me some useful infomation for our next project, which I really appreciated. (which refers to the woman giving me info)
• The woman that spoke at the conference yesterday gave me some useful information for our next project, which I will pass along to our colleagues. (which refers to information)