employ that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "employ that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of using or applying something, typically in a formal or professional context. Example: "In order to improve our workflow, we should employ that new software solution."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I don't think any newspaper should employ that man.

The Guardian

Games that employ that emotional connection will find the most appeal in girls looking for empowerment.

The New York Times - Tech

It was while in the duke's employ that Monteverdi produced "Orfeo".

The New York Times - Arts

How often did you want to employ that shift from one to the other?

The New Yorker

And it was while in Mr. Pearlman's employ that Mr. Gioiosa achieved another milestone.

The New York Times - Books

"We employ that high and low principle in our hotel models".

The New York Times

The user could employ that information to, say, negotiate a better deal on rent.

MIT Technology Review

"I thought this had to be legitimate because you couldn't employ that kind of staff without money".

The New York Times

And second, let's put pressure on food businesses to withdraw the policies they currently employ that cause all this waste".

The Guardian

And he is not afraid to employ that most-dangerous of political tactics, irony, when he believes it necessary.

The New York Times

But what remains is our duty as young people to employ that privilege [the peaceful environment] to achieve our potential.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, consider "employ that" to convey a sense of deliberate and strategic utilization, particularly when discussing resources or methods.

Common error

Avoid using "employ that" in casual conversation. Simpler alternatives like "use that" or "apply that" are more appropriate for informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "employ that" functions as a verb phrase where "employ" acts as a transitive verb taking "that" as its direct object. It signifies the act of making use of something. This is reflected in Ludwig, where the phrase appears in varied contexts related to applying methods or resources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

26%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "employ that" is a grammatically sound phrase that signifies the action of utilizing a specific item, method, or resource. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's frequently found in news, scientific, and academic contexts. While it is generally acceptable for formal writing, simpler alternatives like "use that" might be better suited for informal conversations. Remembering this distinction will help ensure clarity and appropriateness in your writing. The analysis suggests that understanding the nuances of register helps improve communication, matching the phrase’s formality to the context for a more strategic approach to word choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utilize that

Replaces "employ" with a more common synonym, "utilize", maintaining the same meaning.

use that

A simpler and more direct alternative to "employ that", suitable for less formal contexts.

apply that

Focuses on the action of putting something into practice, similar to employing it.

implement that

Suggests a more structured and planned usage, often in a business or technical context.

exercise that

Emphasizes the active application of a skill or right.

adopt that

Implies taking on a new method or approach.

harness that

Focuses on leveraging something for a specific purpose.

capitalize on that

Suggests using something to gain an advantage.

leverage that

A business-oriented term for using something effectively.

draw on that

Indicates using something as a resource or inspiration.

FAQs

What does "employ that" mean?

"Employ that" means to make use of something, typically a method, skill, or resource, in order to achieve a particular objective. It implies a deliberate and strategic application.

What can I say instead of "employ that"?

You can use alternatives like "utilize that", "use that", or "apply that" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "employ that" or "use that"?

"Employ that" is more formal and suggests a strategic and deliberate application. "Use that" is more general and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The best choice depends on the tone and audience of your writing.

How does "employ that" differ from "implement that"?

"Employ that" generally means to make use of something. "Implement that" suggests a more structured and planned application, often in a business or technical context, implying the putting of a plan or system into effect.