What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
salvage
Example
The firefighters worked hard to salvage what they could from the burning building. [salvage: verb]
Example
The team managed to salvage some useful parts from the old car. [salvage: verb]
Example
The artist used salvaged materials to create a unique sculpture. [salvaged: past participle]
retrieve
Example
I need to retrieve my keys from the office before I can go home. [retrieve: verb]
Example
Can you help me retrieve the file from the shared drive? [retrieve: verb]
Example
The dog ran off, but we managed to retrieve him from the neighbor's yard. [retrieved: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Retrieve is more commonly used than salvage in everyday language. Retrieve is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while salvage is less common and often used in specific contexts such as recycling or repurposing.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between salvage and retrieve?
Both salvage and retrieve are relatively formal words, but retrieve may be slightly more common in informal contexts due to its versatility.
