What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
jelly
Example
I love to spread grape jelly on my toast in the morning. [jelly: noun]
Example
The dessert was topped with a layer of raspberry jelly. [jelly: noun]
preserve
Example
My grandmother makes delicious strawberry preserves every summer. [preserves: noun]
Example
We need to preserve these old family photos before they fade away. [preserve: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Jelly is more commonly used than preserve in everyday language. Jelly is widely available in stores and comes in a variety of flavors, while preserve is less common and often made at home with seasonal fruits.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between jelly and preserve?
Both jelly and preserve are considered formal words and are appropriate for use in formal and informal contexts.
