consume

USAGE SUMMARY

'consume' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the act of eating or drinking something, as well as to describe the act of using up a resource or spending something. For example: The audience consumed the drama with enthusiasm. We consume too much electricity in our home.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Technology

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"As publishers find more ways to extend their content into everyday life, consumers are also learning to consume their content in a personal and flexible way which has led to increased readership and increased engagement," the report finds.

The Guardian

"If we consume the best pork we'll enjoy it all the more".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"By understanding the whole picture we can all make informed decisions about what we consume," says Turner.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The electricity network was not designed to cope with widespread use of small-scale electricity generation, or with technologies such as electric cars and heat pumps that consume large amounts of electricity.

The Guardian

The idea we have got to consume less is incompatible with the culture of the moment".

The Guardian

The snow itself represents death, the great equaliser, come to bury the everyday dreams and heartbreaking anxieties which consume Joyce's characters.

The Guardian - Books

Jones said it was not yet clear how individuals, especially newcomers to marijuana, would adapt to the law and work out how much pot they could consume without being over the limit.

The Guardian

If my kids had a diet of blockbusters only, that would be a shame, but if you look at what most kids consume games-wise, it's far more varied and interesting than what my generation has consumed.

The Guardian - Tech

Built in an open environment by an expert in-house team and based on thorough research into how people consume news and features, including feedback from readers, the new site was created to provide the best possible ways of finding, reading and engaging with Guardian journalism.

The Guardian

A spokesman said: "The FSA advises that people who are sensitive to caffeine should only consume high caffeine drinks... in moderation".

The Guardian

Speak to most teenagers about how they consume music and they'll tell you it's via YouTube, which means the charts – traditionally the barometer of teen taste – don't completely take account of the people who listen to the most new music.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing resource management, use "consume" to emphasize the act of using something up, such as "The factory consumes vast amounts of energy."

Common error

While "consume" is generally acceptable, avoid using it in overly formal writing where more precise verbs like "utilize" or "expend" might be more appropriate. Always consider the context and audience.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "consume" is as a transitive verb, indicating an action performed on an object. It describes the act of using something up, eating, or being engrossed. Ludwig provides various examples showing its versatile usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Lifestyle

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Technology

5%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "consume" is a versatile verb with multiple meanings, ranging from eating to using resources and being engrossed by something. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that the term is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts. It's important to consider the specific context when using "consume" to ensure the intended meaning is clear, and while generally acceptable, avoid overuse in overly formal writing where more precise verbs might be better suited. Examples include "The fire consumed the building" and "We need to consume less energy". Overall, "consume" is a valuable word to have in your vocabulary, as long as it's used thoughtfully and appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Use up

Focuses on the exhaustion of a resource through its use.

Eat

A simpler, more general term for taking food.

Devour

Emphasizes eating something quickly and enthusiastically.

Ingest

Specifically refers to the act of taking something into the body, usually food or drink.

Gobble up

Suggests eating something rapidly and greedily.

Expend

Highlights the act of using energy or resources.

Absorb

Implies taking something in, whether physically or mentally.

Deplete

Signifies reducing the amount of something, often to a significant extent.

Exhaust

Stresses using something completely, leaving nothing behind.

Immerse oneself in

Focuses on becoming deeply involved or engrossed in something.

FAQs

How can I use "consume" in a sentence?

You can use "consume" to describe eating, using resources, or being engrossed. For example, "The fire consumed the building" or "We need to consume less energy."

What can I say instead of "consume"?

You can use alternatives like "use up", "devour", or "ingest" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "consume" or "utilize"?

"Consume" implies using something up, while "utilize" suggests using something effectively. Use "consume" when the resource is depleted and "utilize" when focusing on efficient use.

What's the difference between "consume" and "eat"?

"Eat" is a general term for taking food. "Consume" can refer to eating, but also using up resources or being completely engrossed. "Eat" is more specific to food intake.