employ instruments

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "employ instruments" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means to use or utilize tools or instruments in a specific task or activity. Example: The surgeon needed to employ instruments such as scalpels and forceps during the operation.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Santorio Santorio, Latin Sanctorius or Santorius, (born March 29 , 1561 Capodistria [now Koper, Slvn.] died Feb. 22, 1636, Venice [Italy]), Italian physician who was the first to employ instruments of precision in the practice of medicine and whose studies of basal metabolism introduced quantitative experimental procedure into medical research.

Britannica

One important consideration for helping teachers to understand students' thinking about evolution is to employ instruments that are capable of capturing progress in students' conceptual growth.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

For this reason it may be useful to employ instruments, including narrower questions or physiological measures, that are less prone to cultural biasing.[12] The discussion thus far has assumed that people can be wrong about how happy they are.

SEP

Thus, needs assessment will not necessarily employ instruments, follow-ups will be carried out occasionally (depending on local routines), and each OT will be free to register and manage client records according to the traditional structure used in the municipality.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Sixth-year student Betsey Biggs, 42, who writes music employing instruments, vocals, electronics, and visual art, wants her works "to resonate memory" among her listeners.

Princeton University

Stranger employs instruments like the chromelodeon and cloud-chamber bowls, contraptions dreamt up by 20th century musical theorist Harry Partch to split octaves from their usual 12 tones to 43.

The Guardian - Music

He employs instruments you wouldn't expect – flute, thumb piano, bells – and tones and timbres you'd imagine might jar, and somehow makes them work in a club context.

The Guardian - Music

I became one of those guys you never see and have never heard of but who are the sick-ass kings of certain sectors of the market, employing instruments you could never in your math-illiterate lifetime comprehend.

The New Yorker

That is the case, mainly due to the limited efficiency of previously employed instruments, to an increase in instability of the financial side of the economy unless drastically controlled, but also due to the need for viable alternatives.

Procedia Economics and Finance

Interlocking directorates are formally initiated and sparsely employed instruments used to create relatively enduring inter-organizational relations.

Business Research

In this way, different authors (e.g., Akter et al. 2013; Boyar et al. 2014) recognized that employing instruments at one point in time limits the ability to assess causal relationships.

Psicologia: Reflexão e Crítica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, be specific about the types of "instruments" you are referring to for clarity. For example, instead of saying "employ instruments", specify "employ measuring instruments" or "employ surgical instruments".

Common error

Avoid using "employ instruments" without context, as it can be vague. Provide details about the instruments and their purpose. Saying just "employ instruments" isn't enough; clarify what they are and what they achieve.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "employ instruments" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of using or utilizing tools or equipment. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in various contexts, reinforcing its role in describing the application of specific tools for specific purposes.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "employ instruments" is grammatically correct and serves to describe the utilization of tools or equipment to achieve a specific purpose. While Ludwig indicates that it is considered acceptable, it appears with relative infrequency, leaning towards formal and scientific contexts. When using the phrase, it's best to specify the particular "instruments" involved to enhance clarity, avoiding overgeneralization and giving more context for a better content. Related alternatives include "utilize tools", "use apparatus", and "apply devices".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utilize tools

Replaces "instruments" with the more general term "tools".

use apparatus

Replaces both "employ" and "instruments" with synonyms.

apply devices

Substitutes "employ" with "apply" and "instruments" with "devices".

implement equipment

Changes "employ" to "implement" and "instruments" to "equipment".

exercise mechanisms

Replaces "employ instruments" with a more abstract concept.

operate machinery

Focuses on the operational aspect using "machinery".

harness methodologies

Emphasizes the strategic use of methods.

adopt techniques

Focuses on the adoption and use of specific techniques.

leverage resources

Highlights the strategic advantage gained by using resources.

exploit means

Suggests using available resources or methods to one's advantage.

FAQs

What does "employ instruments" mean?

The phrase "employ instruments" means to make use of tools, equipment, or devices in order to accomplish a particular task or achieve a specific goal.

How can I use "employ instruments" in a sentence?

You might say, "The scientist had to employ instruments such as microscopes and spectrometers to analyze the sample" or "The construction crew will employ heavy instruments to demolish the building safely".

What are some alternatives to "employ instruments"?

Alternatives include "utilize tools", "use apparatus", or "apply devices", depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "employ instruments" and "operate machinery"?

"Employ instruments" is a broader term that encompasses using various tools, while "operate machinery" specifically refers to the use of machines. You employ instruments, but you operate machinery.