What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
warding
Example
The security guard was tasked with warding off any potential intruders. [warding: verb]
Example
She burned sage to ward off any evil spirits in her home. [ward off: phrasal verb]
preserving
Example
The museum is dedicated to preserving historical artifacts for future generations. [preserving: present participle]
Example
She canned the fruits to preserve them for the winter. [preserve: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Preserving is more commonly used than warding in everyday language. Preserving has a wider range of applications, including food preservation, historical preservation, and environmental preservation. Warding, on the other hand, is less common and is mostly used in spiritual or supernatural contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between warding and preserving?
Both warding and preserving can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, preserving is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of contexts, making it more appropriate for formal situations.
