Usable

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "Usable" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that is functional or suitable for use. Example: "The software is now fully usable after the update." Alternative expressions include "functional," "serviceable," and "operational."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Britain also relies heavily on arms sales to the Middle East, on the dangerous assumption that the regimes buying them will still be in power to take delivery, and for as long after that as the weapons remain usable.

The Guardian - Opinion

We stroll around with our cameras and notebooks, spotting usable buildings and interesting shots, painfully aware of being completely out of place, every bit as incongruous as the intruding Londoners in our story.

The Guardian - Film

Straightforward, genuine, usable content is preferable – he encourages companies to set up a separate jobs portal for recruitment, for example – but even so, the change tends to be glacial.

The Guardian - Tech

A firm anti-Stalinist, Burlatsky had the intellectual agility to create a usable "Lenin" for reformers.

The Guardian

"This is one of the most important areas of our life," Savulescu adds, "and the amount of usable information science had was infinitesimally small".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

His purpose was to distinguish between those forms of network communication that are hopelessly corrupted and no longer usable, those that are endangered by a continuing assault on the part of an agency gone rogue, and those that, even with their vast power, all their wealth, and all their misplaced ambition, conscientiousness and effort, they still cannot break.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Syria has likewise dug in its heels: it was reported to have been building a nuclear reactor to produce bomb-usable plutonium with North Korea's help, and possibly Iranian cash, until the almost completed structure was bombed by Israel in 2007.Yet the push for tighter rules in support of a stronger NPT has met pushback from others too.

The Economist

No highly enriched weapons-usable uranium or plutonium has been reported stolen since the 1990s, according to Ms Zaitseva.

The Economist

India has since designated some of its reactors as civilian, and open to inspection, but others still churn out spent fuel richly laden with weapons-usable plutonium.

The Economist

It also wanted India to put its experimental fast-breeder reactor programme (which will produce lots of potentially bomb-usable plutonium) on a list of civilian nuclear facilities that, under the deal, will be subject to international safeguards.

The Economist

In an index of countries with at least 1kg of weapons-usable materials, over half of the 25 countries have improved security since the inaugural index two years ago, in particular Japan, Canada and Belgium.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the state of software or digital tools, use "usable" to indicate that the tool is ready and easy for the end-user to operate. This highlights the user-friendliness and accessibility of the product.

Common error

Avoid using "usable" when you mean 'useful' or 'helpful'. "Usable" indicates that something is in working condition, whereas 'useful' suggests it provides a benefit or advantage. Ensure the context aligns with the meaning of being in a state ready for operation.

Linguistic Context

The word "usable" primarily functions as an adjective. It describes a noun, indicating its capacity or state of being able to be used. Ludwig examples show it modifying nouns like 'content', 'reactors', 'water', and 'weapons', clarifying their readiness or suitability for employment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "usable" is a common adjective that signifies something is in a condition to be used effectively. Ludwig's analysis, based on a multitude of real-world examples, confirms its grammatical correctness and high frequency across various domains. Its primary function is to describe the state or capacity of a noun, emphasizing its readiness for employment. It's crucial to distinguish "usable" from 'useful,' as the former emphasizes functionality, while the latter implies benefit. As the sources consulted for this research are mainly from News & Media, the expression is considered neutral.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Available for use

Focuses on the accessibility and permissibility of using something.

Functional

A more technical term emphasizing the ability of something to perform its intended function.

Ready to use

Highlights the immediate availability of something for utilization.

Operational

Similar to functional, but often used in the context of systems or processes.

Fit for purpose

Emphasizes that something is suitable for a specific task or application.

In working order

Indicates that something is functional and operational.

Serviceable

Suggests that something is in a condition to provide service, though possibly not in perfect condition.

Applicable

Indicates that something is relevant and can be applied to a particular situation.

Employable

Emphasizes that something can be put to work or used effectively.

Exploitable

Suggests the resource can be employed to generate a return or profit.

FAQs

How to use "usable" in a sentence?

The adjective "usable" describes something that is able to be used. For example: "The software update made the application more "usable"" or "The old equipment is no longer "usable"".

What can I say instead of "usable"?

You can use alternatives like "functional", "operational", or "serviceable" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "usable" or "useable"?

"Usable" is the more common and preferred spelling. "Useable" is an acceptable variant, but less frequently used. In most contexts, ""usable"" is the recommended choice.

What's the difference between "usable" and "useful"?

"Usable" means something is in working condition and ready to be used, while "useful" means something provides a benefit or advantage. A tool can be "usable" but not particularly useful, or vice versa.