could not save

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could not save" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating an inability to preserve or keep something, often in contexts related to data, files, or situations. Example: "I tried to save my document, but the program crashed, and I could not save my changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

And they could not save them all.

The New York Times - Sports

They could not save his left.

The Guardian

He could not save the second.

The Guardian - Sport

His father's clout could not save him.

The New York Times - Sports

Veterinarians could not save the horse.

The New York Times - Sports

Richter alone could not save the Rangers.

The New York Times - Sports

He could not save him either.

The New York Times

"We could not save everyone," he said.

The New York Times

Even spaghetti could not save it.

The Guardian - Arts

You can make it" — could not save him.

The New York Times

Gallantry and grit could not save the day for Thomas.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation where effort was made but ultimately failed, "could not save" is more appropriate than simply stating something "was not saved".

Common error

Overusing "could not save" in passive constructions (e.g., "the document could not be saved") can make your writing sound monotonous. Vary your sentence structure by using active voice where possible (e.g., "the program failed to save the document").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could not save" typically functions as a verb phrase, expressing an inability or failure to preserve, rescue, or protect something or someone. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across a wide range of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

99%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "could not save" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey the inability to preserve, rescue, or protect. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various registers, particularly in news and media contexts. When writing, be mindful of overuse in passive constructions and consider using related phrases like "failed to rescue" or "was unable to protect" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failed to rescue

Focuses on the act of rescuing and implies an attempt was made.

was unable to protect

Emphasizes the inability to keep something safe from harm.

proved incapable of preserving

Highlights a lack of capacity to maintain something in its original state.

couldn't manage to salvage

Suggests an attempt to recover something from a damaged or lost state.

were helpless to avert

Indicates a lack of power to prevent something negative from happening.

found it impossible to conserve

Stresses the impossibility of maintaining or rationing something.

lacked the means to redeem

Focuses on the absence of resources needed to recover something.

were unsuccessful in guarding

Emphasizes the failure to protect something from being accessed or harmed.

could not secure

Highlights the failure to obtain or ensure the safety of something.

did not manage to defend

Stresses the failure to protect someone or something from attack.

FAQs

How can I use "could not save" in a sentence?

You can use "could not save" to indicate a failure to rescue, preserve, or protect something or someone. For example, "Despite their best efforts, the doctors "could not save" the patient".

What are some alternatives to "could not save"?

Alternatives include "failed to rescue", "was unable to protect", or "proved incapable of preserving", depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to use "could not save" or "was not able to save"?

"Could not save" and "was not able to save" are generally interchangeable, but "could not save" can sometimes imply a stronger sense of finality or unsuccessful effort.

What's the difference between "could not save" and "did not save"?

"Could not save" suggests an attempt was made but failed, while "did not save" simply indicates that no saving occurred, without necessarily implying an attempt. For instance, "They "could not save" the data after the crash" suggests they tried, whereas "They "did not save" the data" doesn't specify whether they tried or not.