to safeguard

USAGE SUMMARY

"to safeguard" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the act of taking steps to protect someone or something, usually from harm. For example, "The company took steps to safeguard its customers' data."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The sand stockpiles are to safeguard supplies.

The Economist

Do we want to safeguard civilians?

The Economist

This is to safeguard national security".

Independent

We certainly want to safeguard against stereotyping".

The New York Times

The challenge is to safeguard the resource.

The New York Times - Magazine

'The board's function is to safeguard shareholders.

The Guardian

"Is that the way to safeguard people?

The Guardian

"It is critical to their mission to safeguard their computer records and to safeguard their data".

The Guardian - Tech

Pakistan has blocked American efforts to safeguard its nuclear facilities.

The Economist

Other designers have taken pains to safeguard their cultural legacies.

The New York Times - Arts

To safeguard it, the banks may have to act quickly.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to safeguard", clearly specify what is being protected and from what potential threat. This provides context and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "to safeguard" repeatedly within a single complex sentence. This can make the writing sound repetitive and cumbersome. Instead, vary your language with synonyms or rephrase the sentence for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to safeguard" functions as an infinitive of purpose, indicating the reason or objective behind an action. It explains why a particular step is being taken, which, according to Ludwig AI, is grammatically correct. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it connects an action with the intent of protection.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to safeguard" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that indicates the purpose of protecting something from harm. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and real-world examples show that it is most frequently used in News & Media and Science contexts. To enhance your writing, ensure you specify what is being protected and from what, and avoid overuse in complex sentences. Consider alternatives like ""to protect"" or ""to preserve"" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in order to protect

Replaces "safeguard" with the more general term "protect", maintaining the purpose-oriented structure.

so as to secure

Emphasizes the act of making something safe and reliable, changing both verb and preposition.

with the aim of defending

Focuses on actively defending against potential threats, altering the verb and adding a prepositional phrase.

for the purpose of preserving

Highlights the intention of maintaining something in its original condition, changing both verb and preposition.

as a means of protecting

Presents protection as a method or tool, using different prepositional phrasing.

in an effort to shield

Stresses the exertion of effort to provide a barrier or cover, altering both verb and prepositional structure.

to ensure the safety of

Shifts the focus to guaranteeing safety rather than directly protecting, adding a noun and modifying the structure.

to maintain the integrity of

Emphasizes preserving the unimpaired condition of something, changing the verb and adding a noun phrase.

with a view to conserving

Highlights the long-term management and protection of resources, changing both verb and preposition.

for the sake of guarding

Focuses on guarding something for the benefit of someone or something, altering the verb and adding a prepositional phrase.

FAQs

How can I use "to safeguard" in a sentence?

You can use "to safeguard" to express the purpose of protecting something from harm or danger. For example: "The government implemented new regulations "to safeguard" the environment."

What are some alternatives to "to safeguard"?

Some alternatives to "to safeguard" include "to protect", "to preserve", or "to ensure", depending on the context.

Is "to safeguard" formal or informal?

"To safeguard" is generally considered a neutral to formal expression, suitable for professional, academic, and news-related contexts.

How does "to safeguard" differ from "to protect"?

While both terms relate to preventing harm, "to safeguard" often implies a proactive and preventative measure, whereas ""to protect"" can refer to both preventative and reactive actions.