instrumental use

USAGE SUMMARY

"instrumental use" is a valid phrase in written English.
It can be used to refer to the use of an instrument to achieve a particular result or purpose. For example, "The instrumental use of this biochemical assay allowed us to measure the concentration of the drug in the sample."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The prophylactic tile, too, performs a political role, if "political" means the instrumental use of religion in the "new India".

The Guardian - Opinion

Too many felony indictments against leakers would risk "compromising the government's instrumental use of the press," as Pozen puts it.

The New Yorker

Madison was aware that most nations have made an instrumental use of God (as the endorser of secular policy) and that this dishonors God rather than honors him.

The New York Times - Magazine

He said on Friday that because Mr. Berlusconi was "constantly under pressure and under attack, the temptation may arise in our rank and file to make an instrumental use of legislative power".

The New York Times

Instead of taking on the serious moral and political objections to bestiality, including those in Leviticus (thou shalt so not) and by animal-rights proponents who reject the instrumental use of animals, he offers haters shrieking on the radio and other opportunists.

The New York Times

So, reason has only an instrumental use.

SEP

Nonetheless both considered reason essential viable in its instrumental use.

Bandung: Journal of the Global South

This paper begins from a recognition that instrumental use of sustainability indicator systems is rare.

Ecological Indicators

Instead of limiting utilization to instrumental use, the paper defines utilization as a six-stage cumulative process.

Research Policy

Some also worry that, through commercialization of oocytes, women themselves may become objects of instrumental use (Alpers &Lo, 1995).

SEP

Indeed, all four countries have seen a shift towards more instrumental use of social policy for economic ends.

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing research or policy, specify the area or context where "instrumental use" is being applied for clarity.

Common error

Don't use "instrumental use" without specifying what is being used instrumentally. Ensure the sentence clearly indicates both the tool and the purpose it serves.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "instrumental use" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It denotes the act of employing something as a means to achieve a particular end. Ludwig examples illustrate it in diverse fields, like policy making and religion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "instrumental use" is a noun phrase signifying the employment of something as a tool to achieve a specific goal. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical status is correct and it's very commonly used. Predominantly found in scientific and news contexts, the phrase maintains a formal tone, although its meaning remains consistent across different registers. The phrase is often used in science, news & media and formal & business. For clarity, it's advised to specify the subject being used and the intended goal. Consider alternative phrasing to "practical application", or "purposeful employment" to enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

effective utilization

Focuses on how efficiently something is used to produce a desired outcome.

purposeful employment

Highlights the intentional and goal-oriented nature of the usage.

functional implementation

Highlights the practical, working aspect of putting something into use.

practical application

Emphasizes the real-world application of something, shifting focus from the act of using to the result.

targeted application

Underscores the precise and focused nature of the usage, highlighting a specific goal.

strategic application

Suggests a planned and calculated approach to using something to achieve a specific aim.

deliberate exercise

Emphasizes the conscious and intentional act of using something.

expedient deployment

Refers to using something promptly and efficiently to address an immediate need.

resourceful exploitation

Implies cleverly using available resources to one's advantage. Carries a stronger connotation of potentially pushing limits or boundaries.

calculated manipulation

Highlights the deliberate and controlled aspect of its usage and suggests a degree of skill or finesse is used to get a particular outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "instrumental use" in a sentence?

Use "instrumental use" to describe how something is deliberately employed to achieve a specific purpose or goal. For instance, "The study highlighted the "instrumental use" of data in policy-making".

What is the difference between "instrumental use" and "effective utilization"?

"Instrumental use" emphasizes the deliberate application of something to achieve a goal, while "effective utilization" highlights the efficiency and success in achieving that goal. "Instrumental use" focuses on the action of using, "effective utilization" focuses on the result.

What are some contexts where "instrumental use" is commonly discussed?

"Instrumental use" is often discussed in contexts related to research, policy, technology, and ethics, where actions or tools are evaluated based on their application towards achieving specific outcomes.

What's another way to describe the idea of "instrumental use"?

Consider using phrases like "practical application", "purposeful employment", or "strategic application" to convey the concept of employing something for a defined purpose.