Grammar Clinic: The REAL difference between SAVE and SAFE

These are two words students think can be interchanged, but they are totally different words with different meanings.

SAVE [seiv]

1. As a verb, save means to stop something from being killed, injured or destroyed. It also means to avoid the spending, consumption, or waste of;

Examples: The use of seat belt has saved many lives.

                    He had to borrow money to save his business.

                    Let’s not go too far to save fuel.

2. As a preposition, save means except or but;

Examples: There are no more bananas save one.

                       All the visitors have left save one.

3. As a conjunction, save means except; but: (usually followed by that):

Example: She would have stayed, save that he asked her to leave.

SAFE [seyf]

1. As an adjective, safe means not dangerous; unlikely to cause or result in harm; in a position or situation that offers protection so that harm is unlikely; unlikely to be wrong.

Examples: Don’t worry, your money is in safe hands.

                       It is safe to admit that the weather will be good.

                       Is it safe to discuss politics with them?

2. As a noun, safe means a container for valuables, storage container, place for storing milk.

Example: Keep the money in the safe.