reserve

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "reserve" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a verb meaning to set something aside for a particular purpose and as a noun to refer to a saved or set-aside amount of something. Example sentence: She reserved a place for them at the restaurant.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Travel

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

I had a bronchial infection as well, and finally his doctor said he was going to reserve a room for him in a nursing home.

The Guardian

Separately Vodafone is seeking revisions of auction rules - basically they are objecting to the reserve price being too high and that some of the spectrum being auctioned is already being used by them.

The Guardian - Business

In Wales, the Gwent Levels is good or, in Scotland, the Gordon Moss reserve near Kelso.

The Guardian - Travel

"One delegation has a general reserve on the text," the ambassadors stated in the final draft of the document.

The Guardian

Asked why he had been so insistent that he would stay on, Carr said: "[Former chairman of the US federal reserve] Alan Greenspan summed it up best with 'irrational exuberance'".

The Guardian

Beyond the village, the wide trunks of baobab trees cast shadows across the Sahelian landscape where the Sambisa game reserve stretches ominously.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

For a while the 38-year-old's career highlight appeared to be the period which started when Mourinho came calling, took in a rise to reserve-team manager at the Bridge, and closed with Rodgers being offered a first post as a manager, at Watford in November 2008.

The Guardian - Sport

When the Wall Street Journal tallied up 700 economic predictions made by 14 members of the Federal Reserve between 2009 and 2012, Yellen was ahead of the entire field.

The Guardian - Opinion

So would Citigroup, which made $7.5bn in 2012 – a third of JP Morgan's haul – and only paid back its 2008 bailout this year; Citi is still such a work in progress that the Federal Reserve still won't allow the bank to give its investors dividends.

The Guardian - Opinion

Overall the leading index has edged up 6.58 points to 6687.66, with investors nervous about the prospect of the US Federal Reserve tapering its $85bn a month bond buying programme, following Wednesday night's minutes from the central bank's last meeting.

The Guardian - Business

Leading shares fell to their lowest level for two months, as fears that the US Federal Reserve would soon turn off the money taps refused to go away.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reserve" in the context of booking, specify the item being reserved (e.g., "reserve a table", "reserve a room") for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "reserve" when you mean to protect or maintain something in its original state. Use "preserve" instead: "preserve the environment", not "reserve the environment".

Linguistic Context

The word "reserve" functions primarily as a verb to indicate the act of setting something aside for a specific purpose or time. It also serves as a noun, referring to a stock or supply kept available. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

15%

Travel

10%

Less common in

Sport

7%

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "reserve" is versatile, functioning both as a verb and a noun with distinct but related meanings. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in English, highlighting its application in various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, business, and travel contexts, "reserve" indicates either the act of setting something aside or the existence of a kept supply. When using "reserve", consider the context to ensure clarity, especially to avoid confusion with "preserve". Alternatives such as "set aside" or "book in advance" can provide nuanced meanings depending on the intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

set aside

Emphasizes the act of allocating or designating something for a specific purpose or time.

book in advance

Specifically refers to making a prior arrangement for a service or accommodation.

retain for later

Highlights the act of keeping something for future use or enjoyment.

keep in store

Suggests holding something back for future needs or opportunities.

hold back

Indicates the act of withholding or saving something for a particular reason.

earmark

Implies designating funds or resources for a specific purpose.

conserve

Focuses on the preservation and careful management of resources.

allocate

Highlights the distribution of resources for specific purposes.

maintain a stock

Emphasizes the act of preserving or maintaining a supply of something

secure a spot

Refers to ensuring a place or position in advance.

FAQs

How can I use "reserve" in a sentence?

You can use "reserve" as a verb to mean 'to keep back or save' as in "We "reserve" the right to make changes". Alternatively, you can use it as a noun referring to a supply or resource kept for future use.

What are some alternatives to using the word "reserve"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as /s/set+aside, /s/book+in+advance, or /s/retain+for+later.

Is it correct to say "I will reserve you a seat"?

Yes, "I will "reserve" you a seat" is grammatically correct. It means you will arrange for a seat to be kept for that person.

What is the difference between "reserve" and "reservation"?

"Reserve" is a verb meaning to set something aside, while "reservation" is a noun referring to the arrangement made to "reserve" something (e.g., "I made a reservation at the restaurant").