Conserve

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Conserve" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of preserving or protecting something, such as resources or the environment. Example: "We must conserve water during the drought to ensure that everyone has enough for their daily needs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The 'war argument' is used to conserve the same way of doing things as in the past," said MP Victoria Voytitska, who worked in business for many years before standing for election to Ukraine's new parliament.

The Guardian

This means using greener materials and constantly inventing new ways to conserve precious resources".

The Guardian

The fans were furious but while at first it seemed a baffling decision and even Marcelo seemed to be bemused by it, it was an eloquent comment on how well Villarreal played; from chasing the match, Madrid recognised the need to conserve it.

The Guardian - Sport

Instead of funding so lavishly SNH's deeply flawed action plan to conserve feral tabby cats the Scottish government should be providing funds to Wildcat Haven to continue its efforts at saving the genuine article.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I think in most countries, the authorities are aware of the importance of Amazon forest and recognise the importance of implementing efficient ways to conserve it, or use it in a sustainable way," Reymondin said.

The Guardian

"The state is mandating our water system to conserve water but why?... Getting one oil well fracked takes more water than the entire town can drink or use in a day".

The Guardian

By legally trapping and killing stoats and foxes to ensure plentiful supplies of grouse, he helped conserve endangered birds: woodcock, snipe, golden plover, lapwing, ring ouzel, and "buckets and buckets of curlew".

The Guardian

"That's a hell of a range of behaviours to conserve".

The Guardian

Standard Chartered has dipped 7p to £12.09 following a Financial Times report it had reined in expansion plans so it could conserve capital amid falling profits.

The Guardian - Business

Set against this package, Punjab's efforts to conserve its groundwater, mainly by telling farmers not to transplant paddy before the monsoon rains, are rather puny.State governments know that this is madness.

The Economist

Battling an inflation rate that is expected to reach 40% this year and seeking to conserve the country's reserves, Mr Fábrega had supported moves earlier this year to raise interest rates and devalue the peso.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "conserve", specify what is being conserved to provide clarity and context. For example, instead of saying "we need to conserve", say "we need to conserve water".

Common error

Avoid using "conserve" when the intended meaning is simply 'to use'. Conservation implies a deliberate effort to preserve something for future use or to protect it from depletion or harm. Therefore, don't say "conserve electricity" when you mean "use electricity".

Linguistic Context

The verb "conserve" primarily functions as a transitive verb, requiring a direct object. According to Ludwig AI, it describes the action of protecting or preserving something, especially natural resources or energy. It is frequently used in contexts related to environmental protection and resource management.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The verb "conserve" is a versatile term frequently used to advocate for the careful management and preservation of resources. As Ludwig AI confirms, it implies protecting something valuable, often in the context of environmental stewardship or financial prudence. It appears most commonly in news and media, business and science contexts, with a neutral to formal tone. To maximize clarity, always specify what is being conserved. Alternatives like "save", "protect", and "maintain" can be used depending on the specific nuance desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preserve

Focuses on maintaining something in its original state or good condition.

save

Implies keeping something for future use, often avoiding waste.

protect

Highlights safeguarding something from harm or damage.

maintain

Emphasizes keeping something in good working order or condition.

safeguard

Suggests taking measures to ensure the security and integrity of something.

economize

Implies using resources carefully to avoid waste or extravagance.

husband

Refers to managing resources carefully and thriftily.

retain

Focuses on keeping possession of something.

keep up

Suggests maintaining a certain level or standard.

sustain

Implies supporting or maintaining something over a long period.

FAQs

How can I use "conserve" in a sentence?

You can use "conserve" to talk about saving resources, like "We need to "conserve water" during the drought", or to protect environments, like "Efforts are being made to "conserve the forest"".

What's the difference between "conserve" and "preserve"?

"Conserve" implies using resources carefully to avoid waste or depletion, while "preserve" suggests maintaining something in its original state or good condition. "Conserving energy" means using less of it, while "preserving a building" means maintaining its historical integrity.

What can I say instead of "conserve"?

You can use alternatives such as "save", "protect", or "maintain" depending on the context. For example, instead of "conserve resources", you could say "save resources" or "protect resources".

Is it correct to say "conserve money"?

Yes, it is correct to say "conserve money". It means to save or use money carefully to avoid spending it unnecessarily. You could also use alternatives like "save money" or "economize".