Synonymic Difference

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Gehanna

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I am stuck in another one of my moments where I can not get past the details of a situation. Perhaps one of you could help me get beyond my self inflicted cognitive restrictions? ... yeah I know, I'm asking for a miracle. :D

Anyway...

The conflict I am having deals with the words conserve and preserve.

Could someone please differentiate the circumstance of use when the concept applies to the (conservation/preservation) of an idea vs. some tangible object?

Sincerely,
Gehanna
 

aghast

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in my mind i think conserve means not to use or spend something - to conserve energy or to conserve money or to conserve water, but preserve means to keep something for later use such to preserve the fish usually by some artificial means
 

Gehanna

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Ahhh

Thank you aghast :)


Sincerely,
Gehanna
 

ErylRavenwell

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THe difference depends on the context the words are used. One word can have different meanings. So it's all contextual.
When used to mean "to keep", "to retain" or "to maintain" both conserve and preserve are synonymous.

For example: Preserve your energy or conserve your energy

Preserve can also mean to protect.

Preserve us from harm.

"Conserve us from harm" is awkward.

In that context preserve and conserve aren't synonymous.
 

Gehanna

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Greetings ErylRavenwell,

When I ponder the many nuances of language it amazes me that comprehension among humanity exists at all.

Bah! Babel. God forbid such contextual towers! Let us build bridges that help to compliment, not confound, the horizons of communicative understanding.

Perhaps I shall opt for preconserve.

:D lol

Goofily Yours,
Gehanna
 

Unique

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(and I thought I was the only one whose mind wandered on strange tracks)

Now that you've made me think about it ... :) ...

I'd use preserve as 'save'
and
conserve as 'to use wisely'

but ... I'll think about it some more. :D

 
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