What is protect? Pronunciation and usage in English

protect means . Learn how to pronounce and use protect through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of protect

protectverb

/prəˈtɛkt/
Definition & pronunciation of protect

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "protect" in English. Here's a breakdown, with different approaches:

1. The Most Common and Generally Recommended Pronunciation:

  • ˈprəˌtekt (This is the one you'll hear most often in American English)

    • ˈprə: (Pronounced like "preh") - The stress is on this first syllable. The "r" is very gentle, almost like a "d" sound, and very lightly trilled (a quick flick of the tongue).
    • ˌtekt: (Pronounced like "tekt") - This second syllable is softer. It’s a short "e" sound followed by a "kt" sound.

2. A More Traditional (British) Pronunciation:

  • prəˈtekt (This is more common in British English)

    • prə: (Pronounced like "preh") - Same as above.
    • ˈtekt: (Pronounced like "tekt") - The stress is now on the second syllable. It’s a sharper "t" sound.

Tips for Getting it Right:

  • Stress: The stress is crucial. Putting it on the right syllable makes a big difference in how it sounds.
  • The "r" Sound: Don't over-emphasize the "r" in the first syllable. It's a subtle, blended sound - more like a very light "d" or a quick tap of the tongue.
  • Listen to Examples: This is really helpful. Here are some resources:
    • Google Search: Search "how to pronounce protect" on Google and listen to the results.
    • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/protect/ – This site offers pronunciations from native speakers of many different accents.
    • YouTube: Search for "how to pronounce protect" on YouTube. Many pronunciation guides are available.

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • Which accent are you trying to emulate (American, British, Australian, etc.)?

Usage and examples with the word protect in English

Let's break down how to use the word "protect" in English. It's a wonderfully versatile word with a lot of different ways to employ it.

1. Core Meaning: To Shield from Harm

At its most basic, “protect” means to keep someone or something safe from danger, harm, or damage.

  • Examples:
    • "We need to protect our children from harm." (Keeping them safe)
    • "The soldiers protected the civilians during the conflict." (Shielding them)
    • "The building is designed to protect against earthquakes." (Making it resistant to damage)

2. Different Ways to Use "Protect" – With Examples

Here’s a breakdown of how you can use "protect" in various contexts:

  • Protecting a person:

    • Safeguard: "The company safeguarded its employees’ health by providing masks and sanitizer." (Synonym – emphasizes safety)
    • Shield: "She shielded her younger brother from the harsh words." (Figurative – mental protection)
    • Defend: "The police defended the city against the invading army." (More active – fighting to protect)

  • Protecting an object/place:

    • Preserve: “We must preserve our historical monuments for future generations.” (Maintaining something in its current state)
    • Secure: “The security guards secured the valuable artwork.” (Making it safe from theft)
    • Maintain: "He worked hard to maintain the integrity of the data." (Keeping it safe and accurate)

  • Protecting something abstract (ideas, rights, etc.):

    • Defend: "She defended her client’s rights in court." (Fighting for those rights)
    • Uphold: “The government upholds the rule of law.” (Maintaining and supporting it)
    • Advocate for: “I advocate for stronger environmental protections.” (Speaking out in favor of protection)

  • Figurative Use (Protecting feelings, etc.):

    • "I protected my heart from getting hurt again." (Shielding oneself emotionally)
    • "He tried to protect her feelings by not mentioning the argument." (Avoiding causing emotional harm)

3. Common Phrases with "Protect"

  • Protect against: (from) - "Protect against illness"
  • Protect from: (from) - "Protect from the rain"
  • Protect the environment: A very common phrase.
  • Protect national security: Another frequently used phrase.
  • Protect intellectual property: (patents, copyrights, trademarks)

4. Grammar Considerations

  • Verb: "Protect" is a verb. It can take various forms: protect, protects, protected, protecting.
  • Prepositions: It’s often used with prepositions like “from,” “against,” “for,” and “by.”

Resources for More Practice:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you using "protect" in? (e.g., writing a story, giving a speech, having a conversation, doing homework?)
  • Can you give me an example sentence you’re struggling with?

Synonyms for the word protect

Practice with vocabulary protect

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. Companies are legally obligated to ______ their customers' personal data from breaches.
  2. International treaties aim to ______ endangered species from extinction caused by habitat loss.
  3. Regular system audits are crucial to ______ the integrity of our financial records.
  4. The new regulations seek to ______ the spread of misinformation online.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. What measures can an organization take to ______ its sensitive intellectual property? (A) secure (B) preserve (C) protect (D) disclose

  2. Governments often establish national parks to ______ unique ecosystems and biodiversity. (A) exploit (B) conserve (C) safeguard (D) damage (E) protect

  3. Employees have a right to feel ______ from harassment and discrimination in the workplace. (A) isolated (B) secure (C) shielded (D) vulnerable (E) protected

  4. Effective project management aims to ______ that all deliverables are met on time and within budget. (A) ensure (B) enable (C) dictate (D) protect (E) guarantee

  5. Companies implement robust cybersecurity protocols to ______ the impact of potential data breaches. (A) defend (B) minimize (C) mitigate (D) maximize

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: The government introduced strict laws to keep the environment safe from pollution. Rewrite using "protect" or a related word form:

  2. Original: It is essential for employers to ensure the safety and well-being of their staff members. Rewrite using "protect" or a related word form:

  3. Original: We need to make sure that sensitive information does not get into the wrong hands. Rewrite using a suitable replacement word (not "protect"):

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. protect
  2. protect
  3. maintain
  4. prevent

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. (A) secure, (C) protect
  2. (B) conserve, (C) safeguard, (E) protect
  3. (B) secure, (C) shielded, (E) protected
  4. (A) ensure, (E) guarantee
  5. (B) minimize, (C) mitigate

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The government introduced strict laws to protect the environment from pollution.
  2. Employers have a duty to protect the well-being of their staff.
  3. We need to safeguard sensitive information from unauthorized access.

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