What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
protecting
Example
The police officer is responsible for protecting the citizens. [protecting: verb]
Example
Wearing a helmet while riding a bike can help in protecting your head from injury. [protecting: gerund or present participle]
defend
Example
The soldier bravely defended his country against the enemy. [defended: past tense]
Example
She had to defend herself from the attacker. [defend: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Protecting is more commonly used in everyday language than defend. Protecting is a versatile word that can be used in a wide range of contexts, while defend is more specific and often used in legal or confrontational situations.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between protecting and defend?
Both protecting and defend can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, defend may be more commonly used in formal contexts, such as legal or professional settings, while protecting is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
