Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[puzzle]

Dear teachers,
Can you tell me if there is any difference between "reserve" & "preserve" when referred to a place where sth. is protected?
eg. You can never kill animals in the preserve.
Can we use"reserve" here?
Thank you very much!

[IanT]

To my ear, "a nature reserve" sounds normal and "a nature preserve" sounds strange.

In my experience, preserve is more often a verb, and when used as a noun it refers to jams and marmalades and things like that.

But the two words are becoming more interchangeable, mainly through people not knowing the difference!

Hope helps,
Ian
_________________
All my answers refer to British English.

www.EnglishSwearing.com - How to use all the bad words! ... and ... www.throdworld.com - Silly verses to make you happy.

You decide the price for both!

[Tao]

It's the same whichever you want to call it.
For example: (and this is just one small area of Indiana)

Bicentennial Woods Nature Preserve
Dustin Nature Preserve (Tom and Jane Dustin)
Eagle Marsh Wetland Preserve (Little River Wetlands Project)
Fogwell Forest Nature Preserve
Fox Island Nature Preserve
Lindenwood Nature Preserve
Little Cedar Creek Wildlife Sanctuary Nature Preserve
McNabb-Walter Nature Preserve
Mengerson Nature Preserve
Meno-aki Nature Preserve
Vandolah Nature Preserve
_________________
TAO

[IanT]

So, once again, a difference between British and American English.
_________________
All my answers refer to British English.

www.EnglishSwearing.com - How to use all the bad words! ... and ... www.throdworld.com - Silly verses to make you happy.

You decide the price for both!