guard him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "guard him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when instructing someone to protect or keep watch over a person, typically in a context where safety or security is a concern. Example: "As the situation escalated, I instructed my team to guard him until help arrived."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's hard to guard him.

The New York Times - Sports

"We didn't guard him.

The New York Times - Sports

Kerry Kittles alone couldn't guard him.

The New York Times - Sports

Lucious Harris alone couldn't guard him.

The New York Times - Sports

'His PR team guard him too carefully.

The Guardian

"I love Carmelo, respect him — have to guard him.

The New York Times - Sports

Still, he is their colleague, and they guard him.

The New Yorker

"But you couldn't guard him," Mr. Drossman recalled.

The New York Times

"Nobody in the SEC can guard him," Howell said.

The New York Times - Sports

The Nets cannot guard him, or Walker, for that matter.

The New York Times - Sports

"You can't tell me how to guard him".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to "guard him", clearly specify the nature of the threat or responsibility. For example, "Guard him from potential intruders" or "Guard him against making hasty decisions".

Common error

Avoid using "guard him" when the situation calls for active engagement or problem-solving. "Guard him" implies a defensive posture, not necessarily proactive intervention.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "guard him" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "guard" is the transitive verb and "him" is the direct object. It describes the action of protecting someone. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples of the phrase in context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "guard him" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey the act of protecting someone. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is primarily employed in news and media contexts, carrying a neutral to professional tone. To enhance clarity, specifying the threat is advisable, while users should ensure "guard him" aligns with the situation's required action. Semantically related alternatives such as "protect him" or "defend him" offer subtle variations in meaning. In summary, "guard him" serves as a straightforward directive for protection, best used when physical or abstract threats are present.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

protect him

Focuses on shielding from harm or danger.

defend him

Emphasizes active resistance against an attack or threat.

watch over him

Implies careful observation and ensuring his well-being.

shield him

Suggests creating a barrier for protection.

keep him safe

Highlights the maintenance of his safety and security.

escort him

Suggests accompanying him for protection during travel.

secure him

Focuses on ensuring his safety within a controlled environment.

oversee him

Implies supervision to ensure his actions are safe.

babysit him

Informal term implying temporary care and protection.

look after him

General term for taking responsibility for his well-being.

FAQs

How can I use "guard him" in a sentence?

You can use "guard him" in sentences like, "The president needs someone to guard him at all times" or "The police assigned an officer to guard him during the investigation".

What does it mean to "guard him"?

To "guard him" means to protect him from harm or danger, often by keeping watch over him or defending him against potential threats. Alternatives include "protect him", "defend him", or "watch over him".

What's a formal way to say "guard him"?

In a formal context, instead of "guard him", you might say "provide security for him" or "ensure his protection". These options are suitable for professional or official communications.

What's the difference between "guard him" and "help him"?

"Guard him" implies protection from external threats, while "help him" suggests assistance with a task or problem. The former focuses on security, and the latter on support.