Definitions and Examples of maintain, preserve
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
To keep something in its original state or condition; to prevent it from changing.
Example
He had to maintain his car regularly to keep it in good condition.
To maintain something in its original state or condition, especially to prevent it from decaying or being damaged.
Example
The museum's staff worked hard to preserve the ancient artifacts.
Key Differences: maintain vs preserve
- 1Maintain implies keeping something in its original state or condition, while preserve implies protecting it from decay or damage.
- 2Maintain can be used in a broader sense, while preserve is usually used in the context of protecting something valuable or important.
Effective Usage of maintain, preserve
- 1Instructive Writing: Use maintain and preserve to explain how to keep something in good condition.
- 2Environmental Writing: Use preserve to describe efforts to protect natural resources and wildlife.
- 3Historical Writing: Use preserve to describe efforts to protect historical sites and artifacts.
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Remember this!
The antonyms maintain and preserve convey the idea of keeping something in its original state or condition. However, maintain implies keeping something as it is, while preserve implies protecting it from decay or damage. Use these words in instructive, environmental, and historical writing to convey the appropriate meaning.
