enabling them to use

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "enabling them to use" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where someone is given the means or ability to utilize something effectively. Example: "The new software is designed with user-friendly features, enabling them to use it without extensive training."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

About 1,300 firms, a third of IBM's mainframe customers, have bought add-ons enabling them to use Linux.

The Economist

The Tour is trying to entice top singles players -- and sell tickets -- by enabling them to use their ranking to get into the doubles draws next year.

The New York Times - Sports

Changes to pension rules unveiled in the budget are designed to provide more freedom to retirees, enabling them to use their savings pot as they wish.

The Guardian - Money

In this way, cells eventually arose that contained new catalysts, enabling them to use simpler, more abundant precursor molecules for their growth.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We recognise that our trainers are individuals and bring different qualities, so we support them on a one-to-one basis, enabling them to use their own words and experiences to meet the needs of learners.

The Guardian

New measures to enable part-ownership will for the first time allow people to use the scheme more than once, enabling them to use capital gained from one part-owned property to buy a stake in a bigger one.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

It enables them to use creativity in a way they can't for other clients.

The Guardian

Today, Cambridge Analytica's central offering to US politicians is to enable them to use the OCEAN scale in shaping highly targeted campaign messages.

The Guardian

The police said the pens would increase safety, help crosstown traffic flow, and enable them to use fewer officers at big events.

The New York Times

Immigration advocates favor a comprehensive measure to enable them to use elements that have bipartisan backing to build support for broader legislation.

The New York Times

The several Semitic peoples in the Middle East area spoke languages that were closely related, and this enabled them to use the same set of alphabetic signs.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "enabling them to use", ensure that the context clearly indicates what 'them' refers to and what is being used. Clarity prevents ambiguity and strengthens the sentence.

Common error

Avoid using "enabling them to use" without a clearly defined antecedent for 'them'. Without clear context, the reader may misunderstand who is being enabled.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "enabling them to use" functions as a gerund phrase followed by a pronoun and an infinitive, often acting as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It describes the action of providing the means or opportunity for someone to utilize something. Ludwig confirms that this is a correct and usable English phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "enabling them to use" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the act of providing the means or opportunity for a group to utilize something effectively. As Ludwig highlights, it appears most frequently in News & Media and Science contexts. When using this phrase, clarity is key; ensure that the antecedent of 'them' is clearly defined. Alternatives include "allowing them to utilize" or, for a more formal tone, "facilitating their use of".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

allowing them to utilize

Replaces "enabling" with "allowing" and "use" with "utilize", changing the level of formality.

giving them the ability to use

Rephrases "enabling" as "giving them the ability", adding a noun phrase.

permitting them to employ

Substitutes "enabling" with "permitting" and "use" with "employ", indicating formal register.

making it possible for them to use

Introduces a clause emphasizing possibility, slightly altering the focus.

facilitating their use of

Transforms the phrase into a gerund construction, changing the grammatical structure.

providing them access to use

Emphasizes access as the enabler, shifting the focus slightly.

equipping them to use

Uses "equipping" to suggest preparation and readiness, changing the nuance.

empowering them to use

Highlights the aspect of empowerment or authority.

authorizing them to utilize

Suggests formal permission or sanction.

helping them leverage

Shifts the focus to leveraging something to their advantage, altering the context.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "enabling them to use" for a more formal tone?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "permitting them to employ" or "facilitating their use of".

What's a simpler way to say "enabling them to use"?

A simpler alternative is "allowing them to utilize", which maintains a similar meaning with more common words.

In what contexts is "enabling them to use" most appropriate?

"Enabling them to use" is suitable in various contexts, from discussing technology and its applications to describing policy changes and their effects, as seen in examples from news, science, and business sources.

Is there a difference in meaning between "enabling them to use" and "empowering them to use"?

While similar, "empowering them to use" suggests a greater degree of agency and control, whereas "enabling them to use" simply implies providing the means or opportunity. "Empowering them to use" implies a transformative effect.