Let him be spared vs Save

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Let him be spared

FormalBeyond 10,000 (less common)

Save

Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
Most formal: Let him be sparedMost common: Save
 Let him be sparedSave
Pronunciation🇬🇧 //lɛt hɪm bi spɛəd//🇺🇸 //lɛt hɪm bi spɛrd//🇬🇧 /["/seɪv/","/seɪvz/","/seɪvd/","/ˈseɪvɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/seɪv/","/seɪvz/","/seɪvd/","/ˈseɪvɪŋ/"]/
MeaningAllow him to be saved from something bad.To keep something safe or to stop it from being lost or damaged.
ExampleWe prayed that he would be let him be spared from suffering.I need to save my homework before I shut down the computer.
RegisterFormalNeutral
How commonBeyond 10,000 (less common)Top 1,000 (very common)
CEFR level-A2
Part of speechverb
Collocationslet him be spared, be spared from danger, let us be sparedsingle-handedly, possibly, potentially, be able to, can, be unable to, from, an attempt to save something, an effort to save something, a battle to save something, up, look to, try to, manage to, for, on, scrimp and save, thereby saving, up, look to, try to, manage to, for, on, scrimp and save, thereby saving, brilliantly, superbly, bravely
Antonymscondemn, abandonwaste, lose, spend
Common mistakesConfusing 'let' with 'allow' in this structure., Using 'let him spared' instead of 'let him be spared'.Confused with 'safety' - 'save' is a verb, while 'safety' is a noun., Using 'save' without an object - always specify what is being saved., Misusing 'saving' as an adjective - it should be used as a verb.
Usage notesThis phrase is more common in formal discussions, especially in legal or religious contexts. Avoid using it in casual conversation.Used in various contexts, including financial savings, rescuing someone, or preserving information. It's appropriate for everyday conversation, while in formal writing, alternatives like 'preserve' might be more suitable.

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Let him be spared
Save

Frequently asked questions: Let him be spared vs Save

What's the difference between Let him be spared and Save?

Let him be spared: Allow him to be saved from something bad. Save: To keep something safe or to stop it from being lost or damaged.

Which is more formal: Let him be spared and Save?

Let him be spared is the most formal of these.

Which is more common: Let him be spared and Save?

Save is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Let him be spared: We prayed that he would be let him be spared from suffering. Save: I need to save my homework before I shut down the computer.

Can I use Let him be spared and Save interchangeably?

Not always. Let him be spared and Save are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.

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