Why use utilize

When you utilize something, you make do with something not normally used for the purpose , e. If the screwdriver were there, you'd use it, not utilize a stupid dime for the purpose. Use use when you mean use , and utilize only when it's properly used to mean-- to use something not normally used. The computer went off-line, so they utilized Mr. Wang's abacus, the one he liked to use. Despite the temporary breakdown, the computer's use -rate was up not its utilization -rate.

Searching in several sources, I found that Mr. Cheney lands in the minority with his definition of utilize. It is actually very easy to choose between use and utilize in your written English. Basically, you need to assess whether the item you are referring to is usually employed in the manner to which you are attributing it.

The airport security confiscated her pencil because they were concerned that it may be utilized as a weapon. They mean different things! The word utilise has no place outside of chemistry and pharmacology, where it has a very specific use. The rule is actually quite simple: never use the word utilise unless you are writing a paper that include reactions in chemistry or pharmacology. For example various engineering disciplines such as process and production engineering.

I agree. This is what I learned in college. Which I find to be true in most business practices. Most people that use it over and over are the people who try to make things sound more important than they are. I always thought it was a basic collegiate explanation though, to not use the term in business writing and it only applied to certain practices as stated above.

I guess not everyone listened that day. Then, you told us that you do not usually utilize a pencil as a weapon. I am ashamed I never actually referred to a dictionary, or at least a thesaurus. Thanks for your suggestions.

Though, with creative writing, of course, this is different. The gravatar shows a picture of a man with a cat. How can you be sure that I am the man? I may be his wife, or, like Bongo, I may be the cat. Ya got me! You deserve the Nobel Peace prize for this. Honest to all that is holy in the world of good grammar and effective communication in writing or speaking: what good can possibly come from using utilize?

Yes, just yes. So very tired of utilize when use is perfectly useful and not a bit pretentious. Thank you. I absolutely agree! I have bugged my husband about it so much that he searched online to prove me wrong.

Guess what he found? Your blog! Boy am I glad to read this! I literally cringe every time I see utilize i documents and emails that I receive from my colleagues.

I found this blog because I was desperate to see if I was wrong. Now that I know the proper use of the word, I will gently redirect them towards use. I work in nuclear science with a group that prepares regulatory documentation. It irks me. Great post, and very helpful. I hate to hear that word because it really is almost always used incorrectly. Pingback: Margot Peterson:Use vs. Utilize - Margot Peterson. I am listening to a football game broadcast where every other comment contains utilize.

Driving me crazy. Write Copy They Understand! It drives me nuts. The Oxford definition does not seem to suggest such strict use. In fact, Merriam Webster even has an article on the word, and they say nothing of the sort. So, what is this based on? You are commenting using your WordPress. You are commenting using your Google account. You are commenting using your Twitter account.