be utilized to

USAGE SUMMARY

"be utilized to" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when describing the purpose or function of something. Example: "The new software will be utilized to improve efficiency." Alternative expressions include "be used to" and "be employed to."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Apparently they used to be utilized to train the dogs at the racetrack.

The New York Times

Other acoustic techniques can be utilized to study ocean variables on a large scale.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Dynamic data cannot directly be utilized to develop mechanical models.

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

Furthermore, μPLS can be utilized to measure the bandgap energy.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Can these capabilities be utilized to transform biosynthesis pathways?

Current Opinion in Biotechnology

These approaches may be utilized to design better antiangiogenic homoisoflavonoids.

Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy

It also can be utilized to many different applications.

Computer Networks

The strength should be utilized to save steel.

Advances in Steel Structures (ICASS '02) Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Advances in Steel Structures 9–11 December 2002, Hong Kong, China

(A raffle will be utilized to choose a winner in the event of a tie).

TechCrunch

All human thought and institutions should be utilized to serve God's purposes.

SEP

The new cell technologies could be utilized to remove such disadvantages.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this phrase when you want to highlight that a specific tool, data set or method is being put to a practical and effective use.

Common error

Do not use "be utilized to" in casual emails or creative writing where a simpler "be used to" would be more natural. Overusing 'utilize' is often cited as a common form of 'business-speak' or academic padding that can make your writing feel unnecessarily dense.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be utilized to" functions as a passive verb construction followed by an infinitive of purpose. In this structure, the subject receives the action of being 'utilized' (put to use), while the 'to' introduces the specific goal or function of that use. According to Ludwig, this is a standard way to express functional utility in formal English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "be utilized to" is a highly effective, formal phrase used to describe the practical application of resources, data or methods. Ludwig AI indicates that it is a cornerstone of scientific and technical writing, providing a level of professional gravitas that simple alternatives might lack. While it is perfectly correct and very common in authoritative sources, writers should be mindful not to over-use it in informal contexts where ""be used to"" would suffice. Whether you are describing how machine learning can "be utilized to" improve user interaction or how new cell technologies might "be utilized to" treat diseases, this phrase remains a robust choice for objective, purpose-driven communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be used to

more direct and less formal version suitable for most contexts

be employed to

suggests a more deliberate or professional application of a tool or method

be leveraged to

implies using an existing resource or advantage to achieve a greater result

be applied to

focuses on the practical implementation of a theory, rule or substance

be exploited to

suggests taking full advantage of a resource, sometimes with a neutral or slightly opportunistic nuance

be harnessed to

implies capturing and controlling a power or natural resource for a specific use

be implemented to

specifically refers to putting a plan, system or software into action

be deployed to

often used for strategic resources, personnel or technological assets

be adopted to

implies the selection and use of a specific methodology or approach

be mobilized to

suggests organizing resources or people for active service or a specific goal

FAQs

How do I use "be utilized to" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe the function of a tool or method, for example: "The new algorithm can "be utilized to" improve data processing speeds."

What is the difference between "be utilized to" and "be used to"?

While often interchangeable, "be utilized to" is more formal and often implies a strategic or highly effective use of a resource. In most everyday writing, however, ""be used to"" is preferred for its simplicity.

Is "be utilized to" grammatically correct?

Yes, it is a perfectly correct passive construction. Ludwig AI shows it is frequently used in high-quality sources like The New York Times and various scientific journals.

Can I say "be employed to" instead of "be utilized to"?

Yes, "be employed to" is an excellent professional alternative that carries a similar level of formality and precision.