What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
protect
Example
It's important to protect your skin from the sun's harmful rays. [protect: verb]
Example
The police officer was wearing a bulletproof vest to protect himself. [protect: verb]
preserve
Example
The museum works hard to preserve historical artifacts for future generations. [preserve: verb]
Example
We need to preserve our natural resources for future use. [preserve: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Protect is more commonly used than preserve in everyday language. Protect is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while preserve is less common and often used in more specific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between protect and preserve?
Both protect and preserve can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, preserve may be more commonly used in formal contexts due to its association with conservation and sustainability efforts.
