abusive use

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "abusive use" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation in which someone is using something in a harmful or harmful way. This phrase is often used in legal or formal contexts. Example: The company's policy prohibits the abusive use of company resources, such as excessive printing and personal internet usage. In this example, the phrase "abusive use" is used to describe the negative and potentially damaging way in which the company's resources are being used.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

Although it has been established by Milroy & Parai 13 and Dettmeyer et al. 14, that fibrotic alterations of the myocardium are associated with the abusive use of stimulants (e.g. cocaine and amphetamines), intravenous opiate abuse and its general association with long-term pathological changes in cardiac tissue have already been identified by Dressler & Roberts 15.

Addiction

Abusive use of senatorial courtesy has substantially limited the governor's power to appoint.

The New York Times

That would make the threat of a fine for abusive use of the Web more believable for the user.

The New York Times

Many disabled people can relate how damaged they have been by the abusive use of the word.

The Guardian

During his campaign for president, Mr. Obama criticized President George W. Bush for what he portrayed as abusive use of signing statements to nullify the will of Congress.

The New York Times

"It's an abusive use of children," said Ibrahima Thioub, a specialist in Senegalese history at the Université Cheikh Anta Diop here.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

"I think it's just become recognized as just abusive, used for the convenience of staff, not for welfare of the patient," he said.

Vice

This is perhaps most pithily expressed in the phrase many abusive men use to justify violence against women: "she was asking for it".

Huffington Post

Family caregiving for the elderly may, however, involve using physical restraints and thus have the potential for elder abuse through abusive physical restraint use [ 4, 21].

BMC Geriatrics

Wong told a Melbourne radio station that Shorten became abusive and used the "f-word".

The Guardian

Laicisation of abusive priests used to take too long; now, as result of this Pope's reforms, it is much speedier.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing specific instances, provide clear examples of what constitutes "abusive use" to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "the abusive use of resources", specify "the abusive use of company laptops for personal entertainment during work hours".

Common error

Avoid using "abusive use" without specifying what is being abused. Be specific about the object or system being misused to provide clarity and context. For instance, instead of "the abusive use led to problems", specify "the abusive use of social media led to privacy breaches".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "abusive use" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "abusive" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "use". Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. It describes a specific type of action, indicating misuse with harmful consequences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "abusive use" is a grammatically sound phrase that describes the harmful or excessive misuse of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is correct and frequent, spanning diverse contexts such as news reporting, scientific research, and formal business communications. Its primary function is to criticize or condemn a particular practice, highlighting its negative consequences. While its register tends to be formal, it's crucial to provide specific examples when using the phrase to prevent ambiguity. Alternatives include "misuse", "harmful application", or "wrongful exploitation" depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

misuse

A more general term indicating incorrect or inappropriate use.

harmful application

Emphasizes the damaging consequences of the use.

wrongful exploitation

Highlights the unjust or unethical nature of the use.

detrimental employment

Focuses on the negative impact or disadvantage caused by the use.

corrupt practice

Implies that the use is dishonest or immoral.

unscrupulous handling

Suggests a lack of ethics or principles in the way something is used.

pernicious utilization

Highlights the gradual and subtle harm caused by the use.

exploitative manipulation

Focuses on the selfish or unfair use for personal gain.

inappropriate application

Indicates that the use is unsuitable or not fitting for the situation.

injurious practice

Emphasizes the physical or emotional damage caused by the use.

FAQs

How can I use "abusive use" in a sentence?

You can use "abusive use" to describe situations where something is being used in a harmful or excessive way. For example, "The company's policy strictly prohibits the "abusive use" of confidential information".

What are some alternatives to "abusive use"?

Alternatives include "misuse", "harmful application", or "wrongful exploitation", depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "improper use" and "abusive use"?

"Improper use" generally refers to incorrect or unsuitable use, while "abusive use" implies a more intentional and harmful misuse. "Abusive use" suggests a disregard for rules or ethical considerations.

Is "abusive use" a formal or informal term?

"Abusive use" is generally considered a formal term, often used in legal, professional, or academic contexts. More informal alternatives might include "overuse" or "misapplication".