Distinguishing Between Use & Usage

Use vs Usage

While the difference between use and usage often goes unnoticed, it is essential to note that these two words have distinct meanings and should not be used interchangeably. The term “use” generally means “employ,” while “usage” refers to “practice,” “convention,” or “the act of using something.” It is worth mentioning that the word “usage” is commonly used in English grammar and can be considered a grammar-related term.

What does Use mean?

The word “use” is employed to mean “employ.” For example, consider the following sentences:

– I used it for a long time.
– She did use her book very well.

In both sentences, the word “use” is employed, meaning “I employed it for a long time” and “she employed her book very well,” respectively.

The word “use” is typically utilized as a verb, as seen in the examples above. It can also be used as a noun, as in the sentence “He is not aware of its use.” In this sentence, “use” is employed as a noun meaning “utility.”

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, “use” can also mean “apply (a name or title) to oneself,” as in the example: “She uses her maiden name still.” Here, “use” is employed to mean “apply to oneself,” as it refers to a name.

What does Usage mean?

The term “usage” is used in the sense of “practice,” “convention,” or “the act of using something.” Consider the following sentences:

– The usage of the word is different.
– It has its own usage.
– The usage of the tools was very high.

In the first two sentences, “usage” refers to “convention” or “practice.” Therefore, the meanings of these sentences are “the convention of the word is different” and “it has its own practice,” respectively. In the third sentence, “usage” refers to “the act of using something,” meaning “the act of using the tools was very high.”

What is the difference between Use and Usage?

• The word “use” is employed in the sense of “employ.”
• In contrast, the word “usage” is used in the sense of “practice,” “convention,” or “the act of using something.”
• The term “usage” is frequently used in English grammar.
• The word “use” can be used as both a verb and a noun.
• The word “use” can also mean “apply (a name or title) to oneself.”

Key Takeaways

• “Use” generally means “employ,” while “usage” refers to “practice,” “convention,” or “the act of using something.”
• The term “usage” is commonly associated with English grammar.
• The word “use” can be used as both a verb and a noun, and it can also mean “apply (a name or title) to oneself.”