What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
conserve
Example
We need to conserve our water supply during the drought. [conserve: verb]
Example
The museum takes great care to conserve its collection for future generations. [conserve: verb]
protect
Example
It's important to protect your skin from the sun's harmful rays. [protect: verb]
Example
The government has established national parks to protect endangered species. [protect: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Protect is more commonly used than conserve in everyday language. Protect is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while conserve is less common and refers specifically to the preservation of natural resources.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between conserve and protect?
Both conserve and protect can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, conserve may be associated with a more technical or specialized vocabulary, while protect is more widely used in everyday language.
