place a higher value on

[alpacinou]

Hello.

Have I used "place a higher value" correctly and naturally in this sentence? The context is protecting the environment.

I believe that societies should place a higher value on preserving natural areas and all the living creatures in them.

What if I omit preserve?

I believe that societies should place a higher value on natural areas and all the living creatures in them.

 

[emsr2d2]

Have I used "place a higher value" correctly and naturally in this sentence? The context is protecting the environment.

I believe that societies should place a higher value on preserving natural areas and all the living creatures in them.

What if I omit "preserve"?

I believe that societies should place a higher value on natural areas and all the living creatures in them.

Yes, you have used "place a higher value" correctly and naturally. Both sentences are grammatically correct but they don't mean the same thing.

 

[alpacinou]

Yes, you have used "place a higher value" correctly and naturally. Both sentences are grammatically correct but they don't mean the same thing.

Do they sound natural too? The difference is of course "preserve".

 

[emsr2d2]

They would be natural enough in the right context and register. They're a bit formal and wordy for a chat with a mate. In that scenario, I'd expect something like "I think people should value nature and wildlife more".

 

[tedmc]

What about "give priority to preserving the natural habitats"?

 

[emsr2d2]

What about "... give priority to preserving [STRIKE]the[/STRIKE] natural habitats"?

Note my corrections above. The article would be appropriate only if those natural habitats had previously been mentioned. If you're not quoting a whole sentence, make sure there is an ellipsis in the relevant place. If you are quoting a whole sentence, it should start with a capital letter.