save

USAGE SUMMARY

"save" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it as a verb meaning to rescue or preserve, or as a noun referring to a sum of money or a period of time spent. Example sentence: I saved enough money to buy a new car.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

First-time buyers who save in a help-to-buy Isa will have their savings boosted with a payment from the government when they decide to buy a property.

The Guardian - Money

If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone, I would also do that.

The New York Times

This ruling will save lives by forcing the government to finally take this issue seriously.

The Guardian

What I do about slavery and the colored race, I do because I believe it helps to save the Union; and what I forbear, I forbear because I do not believe it would help to save the Union.

The New York Times

"Ahmedabad is the only city with an early warning system for heat in South Asia because they saw infants and babies die, and then put the dots together during a crisis," says Jaiswal. "Temperatures in Mumbai are already high, so we think an early warning system would benefit many, and save lives.

The Guardian

I remember having a conversation with Yvette Cooper's adviser, in which he was asking how much we would save from liberating women who had been trafficked.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Kammer is armed in these last attempts to save his client with new testimony from three doctors who last week overturned their previous evaluation of Hill.

The Guardian

However, this is not an alternative to good password policies such as using 1Password, LastPass or similar to generate and save passwords to reduce the risk from brute force attacks and similar.

The Guardian - Tech

There are only a handful of exemptions to the ban on abortion – to save the mother's life, if the pregnancy was a result of rape, or, in a recent controversial addition, if the foetus has anencephaly, a rare birth defect in which the brain and skull do not develop.

The Guardian

The French president is also set to resume his cooling relationship with German chancellor Angela Merkel as the two plot to make the real decisions, in a private meeting today, about how to save the euro.

The Guardian - Business

When asked to expand on why he did not sing 'God Save the Queen', Morgan added: "It's a long story.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "save" in technical contexts related to computing, be specific about what you are saving (e.g., "save the file", "save the changes").

Common error

Avoid using "save" without specifying what is being saved. For example, instead of saying "Remember to save", say "Remember to save your work" to provide clarity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "save" is a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object. It indicates the act of preserving, rescuing, or storing something. Ludwig AI confirms its broad applicability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "save" functions primarily as a transitive verb, signifying acts of preservation, rescue, or storage. As indicated by Ludwig AI, "save" is correct and broadly applicable. Its neutral register and frequent appearance in news, business, and general contexts demonstrate its versatility. While "save" enjoys widespread use, remember to provide context for clarity, especially in technical settings. Consider synonyms like "conserve", "preserve", or "protect" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conserve

Focuses on preserving resources or energy by avoiding waste.

protect

Emphasizes shielding someone or something from danger or harm.

preserve

Highlights the act of maintaining something in its original state or protecting it from harm.

safeguard

Implies taking precautions to ensure the safety and security of something.

rescue

Specifically refers to saving someone from a dangerous or difficult situation.

economize

Concerns reducing expenses and using resources efficiently.

set aside

Indicates allocating something for a specific purpose or future use.

store

Refers to keeping something for future use.

put by

Focuses on accumulating money or resources gradually.

record

Implies capturing or preserving information for later access.

FAQs

How can I use "save" in a sentence?

You can use "save" in a variety of ways. For instance, "I need to "save money" for a new car", or "The doctor tried to "save the patient"'s life".

What is a synonym for "save" when referring to money?

When referring to money, you can use alternatives like "economize", "conserve funds", or "set aside funds".

Which is correct: "save" or "safe"?

"Save" is a verb that means to rescue or preserve, while "safe" is an adjective meaning protected from danger. For example, "I need to "save the data"" versus "Keep your valuables "safe"".

What does "save" mean in the context of computer files?

In the context of computer files, "save" means to store the current state of a file to a storage medium, such as a hard drive or USB drive, so that it can be accessed and modified later. This is different from "backing up", which creates a copy for security.