This verb describes keeping something safe or in good condition.
The idea
Use preserve directly with the thing protected: preserve a building.
Examples
- The museum preserves old maps.
- Salt preserves the fish for winter.
- They preserved the village tradition through music.
- The town wants to preserve its historic bridge.
- Cool jars help preserve the fruit.
- We must preserve these recordings for future generations.
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Watch out
Do not confuse preserve with reserve: the latter can mean booking something for later.
Try it yourself
Choose the correct form. The archive ___ letters last year. (preserved / preserves)
Show answer or example answer
preserved
preserved places the archive’s action in the past.
Choose the correct form. The group hopes to ___ the theatre. (preserve / preserves)
Show answer or example answer
preserve
preserve follows the infinitive marker after a hope.
Choose the correct form. A freezer can ___ berries. (preserve / preserved)
Show answer or example answer
preserve
preserve takes its base form after can.
Practice round
Answer questions and rebuild English sentences to practise. Your score is shown.
Choose the correct form. The archive ___ letters last year. (preserved / preserves)
Choose the correct form. The group hopes to ___ the theatre. (preserve / preserves)
Choose the correct form. A freezer can ___ berries. (preserve / preserved)
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Describe something your community wants to preserve.