reserve something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reserve something" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that you are setting aside or booking something for future use or access. Example: "I would like to reserve a table for two at the restaurant for 7 PM."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Maybe we ought to reserve something.' ".

The New York Times

Reserve something so people will then vote with their feet".

The Guardian - Film

But it was also immediately apparent that AJ held something in reserve; something granitic, icy, distanced, perturbed.

Independent

But we did know that without T.P.U.s, it definitely wasn't going to work". He remembers going to Dean one on one to plead, "Please reserve something for us". Dean had reserved them.

The New York Times - Magazine

With that in mind, one question being considered by the government's energy review is whether the state should step in and set up a "strategic" gas reserve (something similar already exists for oil).Such government intervention may be prudent but it could have unintended consequences.

The Economist

Even so, she was not included in the team for the 1997 Women's Cricket World Cup, but she was named as a non-travelling reserve, something that Taylor said "confirmed to me my breakthrough into the senior squad".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

But she reserves something much worse for Mr Leonard: something close to amused pity.

The Times

And so, after waiting many many months, perhaps years, reserving something for Marion True, Fleischman would enter into the game".

The New Yorker

The I.E.A.'s executive director, Maria van der Hoeven, said last week that any move to tap reserves — something normally coordinated by the I.E.A. — would be up the countries involved.

The New York Times

To jump-start growth, Mr. Khloponin intends to lure companies to develop the oil and mineral reserves, something the former governor, Gennady Nedelin, failed to do.

The New York Times

Sadly, I was correct, and the biggest beneficiary has been has been Iran, who is systematically taking over Iraq and gaining access to their very rich oil reserves, something it has wanted to do for decades.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reserve something" when you want to specifically indicate setting aside an item, resource, or service for a particular purpose or future use. It suggests a proactive action to ensure availability.

Common error

Avoid using "reserve something" in highly formal or business contexts when more precise terms like 'allocate', 'designate', or 'secure' might better convey the intended meaning. Consider the tone and audience when choosing the most appropriate phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reserve something" functions as a verb phrase where "reserve" is a transitive verb requiring a direct object ("something"). Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is commonly used to express the act of setting aside an item or resource.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Wiki

29%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "reserve something" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that implies setting aside or allocating something for future use. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is most commonly found in news and media contexts, though it may also appear in wiki pages and formal communications. While versatile, more formal alternatives might suit professional settings better. When using "reserve something", ensure that you intend to convey proactive action to secure availability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Set something aside

Focuses on the action of putting something apart for later use, differing in word choice.

Keep something in reserve

Implies holding something back as a backup, varying in implication and wording.

Hold something back

Suggests withholding something, changing the nuance slightly.

Allocate something

Emphasizes the formal distribution of something, differing in formality.

Designate something

Involves officially assigning something for a particular purpose, altering the tone.

Put something on hold

Indicates temporarily postponing something, changing the aspect of time.

Save something for later

Focuses on saving something for a future time, shifting the emphasis.

Book something

Specifically refers to reserving accommodations or services, narrowing the context.

Secure something

Highlights the act of ensuring something is reserved, changing the focus.

Lay something by

Means to put something aside for future use, often implying thrift or saving, differing in tone and context.

FAQs

What does "reserve something" mean?

The phrase "reserve something" means to set aside or allocate something for a specific purpose or future use. It implies keeping something available and not using it immediately.

What can I say instead of "reserve something"?

You can use alternatives like "set something aside", "keep something in reserve", or "allocate something" depending on the context.

How is "reserve something" different from "book something"?

"Reserve something" is a more general term that can apply to various items or resources, while "book something" typically refers to reserving accommodations, tickets, or appointments. They are interchangeable in certain situations, but "book something" is more specific.

Is "reserve something" appropriate for formal writing?

While "reserve something" is grammatically correct, it might be too informal for certain professional or academic contexts. In those cases, consider using alternatives like "designate something" or "secure something" for a more appropriate tone.