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use vs. utilize
2

use vs. utilize

use vs. utilize

(OP)
Our department is engaged in a debate over use vs utilize. Our editor is arguing that "utilize" should not be our word of choice, while another employee responded:

I am inclined to use the word “utilize” whenever I am referring to a tool, or for emphasis.  This term is generally deemed popular in this automotive technical culture, from what I can gather, through its use in automotive training where a tool or other equipment is often used for more than one purpose.

Any thoughts on this issue?

Thanks!

Nikki Larsen
Learning Designer
Universal Technical Institute
"Accelerate your Future"
www.uticorp.com

RE: use vs. utilize

The use of "utilize" is not wrong...the misuse of "utilize" is.  My dad was a college English professor and is now an author and this was always one of his pet peeves.

If it is used as a substitute for the simple word "use" (and oh brother is it ever!), then it should be avoided.  What it properly means is "find a practical use for something" with the specific implication that the thing wouldn't have otherwise been used.  So you can say

"We intend to utilize the scrap metal created by this new process."

But you should avoid saying

"A drill press utilizes a drill bit to make holes."

Don
Kansas City

RE: use vs. utilize

I take it you agree with what randomhouse said, then.

RE: use vs. utilize

Quote:

This term is generally deemed popular
On the whole, I would avoid taking advice on style or grammar from anyone who goes public with something as ugly as this.

I can't get too excited about "generally" - it's one of those words which has almost completely reversed its meaning in popular use over the last few decades.

"is deemed" carries a sense of "is to be accepted without further discussion to", although it recently seems to have started seeing use as an unnecessarily pretentious substitute for "seems to".

In this particular context, neither adds anything useful; the sentence is much clearer with both words left out.

This sounds exactly like the sort of person who would think it was clever to write "utilize".

A.

RE: use vs. utilize

Quote:

I am inclined to use the word “utilize” whenever I am referring to a tool, or for emphasis.  This term is generally deemed popular in this automotive technical culture, from what I can gather, through its use in automotive training where a tool or other equipment is often used for more than one purpose.

I'd respond with:

Don't you mean "I am inclined to utilize the word “utilize” whenever I am referring to a tool, or for emphasis.  This term is generally deemed popular in this automotive technical culture, from what I can gather, through its utilization in automotive training where a tool or other equipment is often utilized for more than one purpose."

See if that makes your case.  At the very least, you should score some points with your editor.......

RE: use vs. utilize

"Use" is a lot quicker to write/type. I try to use "use" as much as I can. It this utilisation wrong? winky smile

"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."   
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

RE: use vs. utilize

These days of text messaging I'd use the letters 'uz' instead of the writing out the bulky and time consuming word 'use'. An example would be "I thnk uz gr8".

Incidentally what is a 'Learning Designer'?

corus

RE: use vs. utilize

Wasn't there once a Dilbert strip where pointy-haired boss proof reads a document and says something like: "Fine, just change all instances of 'use' to utilize'".

RE: use vs. utilize

Yes, I think he also order to change "do" to "implement".
In general, any word with one syllable should be replaced by an uglier multi-syllable synonym whenever possible.

RE: use vs. utilize

One the original post, I would say either "use" or "utilize" can be used to specify a tool.  Neither one conveys more of a mandatory requirement than the other. I would tend to look for another clue such as the word "shall" to convey mandatory use of the specified tool over some other equivalent.

I don't quite understand the comments by eromlignod.  Just because you can say the same thing with a smaller word doesn't mean that you have to... it's up to the writer.  If someone made the comment to me that I should change the word "utilize XYZ tool" to "use XYZ tool" just because they preferred using smaller words, I would tell them to go pound sand.  

I use whatever word sounds right to me.  According to Merriam Webster, the verb "utilize" has one meaning which is equivalent to one of the 7 meanings of the word "use".  One might argue that "utilize" is therefore more specific and less likely to be misinterpretted.  I'm not going to go there.., just use whatever word sounds right.

http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary
==================
Main Entry: use
Pronunciation: 'yüz
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): used  /'yüzd, in the phrase "used to" usually 'yüs(t)/; us·ing  /'yü-zi[ng]/
transitive verb
1 archaic : ACCUSTOM, HABITUATE
2 : to put into action or service : avail oneself of : EMPLOY
3 : to consume or take (as liquor or drugs) regularly
4 : to carry out a purpose or action by means of : UTILIZE; also : MANIPULATE 2b <used him selfishly>
5 : to expend or consume by putting to use -- often used with up
6 : to behave toward : act with regard to : TREAT <used the prisoners cruelly>
7 : STAND 1d <the house could use a coat of paint>
intransitive verb
1 -- used in the past with to to indicate a former fact or state <we used to go more often> <didn't use to smoke>
2 : to take illicit drugs regularly
synonyms USE, EMPLOY, UTILIZE mean to put into service especially to attain an end. USE implies availing oneself of something as a means or instrument to an end <willing to use any means to achieve her ends>. EMPLOY suggests the use of a person or thing that is available but idle, inactive, or disengaged <looking for better ways to employ their skills>. UTILIZE may suggest the discovery of a new, profitable, or practical use for something <an old wooden bucket utilized as a planter>.   
==================

Main Entry: uti·lize
Pronunciation: 'yü-t&-"lIz
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): -lized; -liz·ing
Etymology: French utiliser, from utile
: to make use of : turn to practical use or account <I'm a great person for utilizing waste power -- Robert Frost>
synonym see USE

=====================================
Eng-tips forums: The best place on the web for engineering discussions.

RE: use vs. utilize

Quote:

According to Merriam Webster

Who's she?  I take my English cues from the OED.  No other source!

RE: use vs. utilize

At this point I'm not sure if that rhetorical question or a real question. I should have said "According to Merriam Webster's Online Dictionary,..."

How many definitions does OED have for the verbs "use" and  "utilize"?

=====================================
Eng-tips forums: The best place on the web for engineering discussions.

RE: use vs. utilize

I use utilize as "take advantage of".  This is just based on my oppinion.  I dont really know whether thats correct or not.  

RE: use vs. utilize

I used to use use, but now I'm used to using utilise.

RE: use vs. utilize

I think, for Eng-Tips, we need to agree on one standard dictionary....but I doubt we will.

JMW
www.ViscoAnalyser.com

RE: use vs. utilize

"I used to use use..."
Good one.

=====================================
Eng-tips forums: The best place on the web for engineering discussions.

RE: use vs. utilize

A user who utilized "use"
Used to use "utilize" too,
   When in a forum she found
   Diverse opinions abound.
Using "use" used to amuse.

RE: use vs. utilize

better to use "use" instead of utilize in your case.

RE: use vs. utilize

Why use utilise when you can utilise use to keep it simple to convey what you mean.

The Randomhouse example is a good case in point.

Naresuan University
Phitsanulok
Thailand

RE: use vs. utilize

I utilize the new application into the workplace.

is it right?

but I can not say

I use the new application into the workplace.

Forever Young

RE: use vs. utilize

utilize is to make somthing useful.

use is to use somthing.

is that right?

Forever Young

RE: use vs. utilize

Snowfire--on your first post, neither of those is right.  You might incorporate something into the workplace, but neither "use" nor "utilize" works with "into".

Your second post is pretty close, if not right on.  (My own sense is fuzzy.)  To me, "utilize" means something along the lines of "make effective use of".

Hg

Eng-Tips policies:  FAQ731-376

RE: use vs. utilize

thanks HgTX. I am learning.

Forever Young

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