guard

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "guard" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in various contexts, such as referring to a person who protects or defends something, or in phrases like "to guard against" something. Example: "The security team was hired to guard the entrance of the building."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Times reported that he said: "You have tanks and armour rolling across the Ukrainian border, and you have an Estonian border guard being captured and not yet still returned.

The Guardian

He never saw combat and spent most of his military service as a guard in prisoner-of-war camps.

The Guardian - Arts

Meanwhile, toast the muffin halves (it definitely helps to put your breakfasting companion to work here – that way they can assemble the rest of the dish while you stand guard whisking the hollandaise) and poach the eggs.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Right where you are standing," said the guard.

The Guardian

He is currently a human intelligence analyst with the Minnesota national guard.

The Guardian

Lt Col Kevin Olson, spokesman for the Minnesota national guard, said Wednesday that the guard is aware of the charges and cooperating with the FBI investigation.

The Guardian

He later joined the Minnesota national guard and served as a human intelligence analyst.

The Guardian

For the first time, the region's old guard, including Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, will cross paths in the UN corridors with the region's new leaders, including Egypt's Mohamed Morsi and Libya's Mohammed Magarief.

The Guardian

Their final game, at home to Manchester United, was Jimmy Armfield's last too, his 569th for the club; he was given a guard of honour by both teams, after which things deteriorated.

The Guardian - Sport

It's like being in an underground car park, one of those liminal spaces where you feel slightly threatened and on your guard.

The Guardian - Arts

So it was that in 1995, Abdullah's national guard in Riyadh came face to face with terrorism, when a key building used by Americans providing military training support was blown up.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "guard" to denote active protection or supervision, especially in contexts involving potential threats or vulnerabilities.

Common error

Don't use "guard" in contexts where "protect" or "defend" would more accurately convey active resistance or intervention. "Guard" is best when implying continuous vigilance.

Linguistic Context

The word "guard" functions primarily as a noun referring to a person or group protecting something, or as a verb meaning to protect. Ludwig AI indicates this word is perfectly usable in written English, as shown by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "guard" is a versatile term with meanings ranging from protection to supervision. As a noun, it denotes someone or something providing security; as a verb, it signifies the act of protecting. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usability. It is frequently found in news, business and science contexts. For alternatives, consider "protect", "defend", or "watch over", depending on the nuance you wish to convey. Remember that "guard" implies ongoing vigilance, and avoid using it passively when active intervention is more appropriate. The word is considered grammatically correct and is found very commonly across various sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

protect

Focuses on actively defending against harm or danger.

defend

Emphasizes resistance against attack or challenge.

watch over

Implies careful supervision and care to ensure safety.

secure

Highlights making something safe and protected from threats.

oversee

Suggests responsibility for supervising and directing to prevent issues.

supervise

Emphasizes directing and controlling activities for safety and order.

patrol

Indicates regular monitoring of an area to maintain security.

monitor

Focuses on continuous observation and tracking for potential problems.

shield

Suggests protecting something from harm or negative influences.

preserve

Highlights maintaining the integrity and safety of something over time.

FAQs

How can I use "guard" in a sentence?

You can use "guard" to describe protecting something, as in "The soldiers guard the border", or to refer to someone who protects, as in "He works as a security guard".

What are some alternatives to the word "guard"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "protect", "defend", or "watch over".

What's the difference between "guard" and "protect"?

"Guard" typically implies a continuous state of vigilance or supervision to prevent something from happening, while "protect" suggests active intervention to prevent harm.

Is it correct to say "guard against" something?

Yes, "guard against" is a common and correct usage, meaning to take precautions to prevent something undesirable from happening, such as "We must guard against complacency".