protect

/prəˈtekt/ (bre, ipa) · /prəˈtekt/ (ame, ipa) · /prə-ˈtekt/ (ame, mw)

protect — verb

  • protectpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • protectshe / she / it
  • protectedpast simple
  • protecting-ing form

1. to take steps or put measures in place that stop people, animals, things, or pla

1.動詞及物B1
釋義

to take steps or put measures in place that stop people, animals, things, or places from being hurt, damaged, lost, or changed in an unwanted way

例句

Dario wears a helmet when riding his bike to protect his head.

protect + body part from injury

The vaccine helps protect children against serious diseases.

protect + people against disease

同義詞
  • defend

    more active, often suggests fighting or resisting an attack

  • shield

    suggests a physical barrier placed between danger and the person or thing

  • safeguard

    more formal, often used for long-term protection of rights or interests

  • guard

    suggests watching over someone or something to prevent harm

反義詞
  • endanger

    to put someone or something in a dangerous situation

  • harm

    to cause injury or damage

文法句型

protect + noun phrase + from/against + noun phrase

用法筆記

Subject is often a person, a piece of equipment, a law, or a substance. Object can be a person, animal, thing, place, or abstract concept such as rights or privacy.

常見錯誤

❌This cream protects your skin of the sun.
✅This cream protects your skin from the sun.
💡The correct preposition is 'from' (or 'against'), not 'of'.
❌The guard protected the building for thieves.
✅The guard protected the building from thieves.
💡Use 'from' to indicate what the danger is, not 'for'.

2. to help a country's own industries stay competitive by charging taxes on similar

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to help a country's own industries stay competitive by charging taxes on similar goods brought in from other countries

例句

The government raised taxes on foreign steel to protect local steel mills.

government + protect + domestic industry by taxing imports

Farmers in several countries demanded tariffs to protect the rice industry.

同義詞
  • safeguard

    more formal; often used in official trade documents

  • shelter

    suggests shielding an industry from normal competition

反義詞
  • deregulate

    to remove government controls and let foreign competition in

  • expose

    to open a domestic market to foreign competition

文法句型

government + protect + noun phrase (industry/product) + by + -ing clause

用法筆記

Subject is always a government or trade authority. Object is a domestic industry, sector, or group of producers. Frequently appears in news and policy discussions about tariffs and trade wars.

常見錯誤

❌Our company protected its profits by raising prices.
✅The government protected local farmers by taxing imported grain.
💡Trade protection is a government policy, not a business strategy.

3. to provide financial compensation or coverage through an insurance policy if som

3.動詞及物B1
釋義

to provide financial compensation or coverage through an insurance policy if something bad happens, such as an accident, illness, theft, or natural disaster

例句

This policy protects homeowners against damage from storms and floods.

protect + policyholder + against + specific risks

Mateo bought travel insurance to protect himself if his flight was cancelled.

同義詞
  • insure

    directly means to arrange financial protection; 'protect' is broader and less technical

  • cover

    common in insurance marketing; more informal than 'protect'

文法句型

protect + noun phrase + against + noun phrase (risk/loss)

be protected + against + noun phrase

用法筆記

Common in financial and insurance contexts. The subject is typically an insurance policy, plan, or company. The object is the person or thing covered. Use 'against' for the risk being insured.