it used that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it used that" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to refer to something that was previously utilized, but the structure is awkward and lacks context. Example: "In the past, it used that method to achieve results." (This would be clearer if rephrased.)

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

For example, the company reaped $1.4 billion last year when it sold its stake in PaineWebber, and it used that gain to offset the charges from closing Montgomery Ward.

The New York Times

"Neither dictionary definitions nor the use of the word 'license' in an unrelated statute," Justice Breyer wrote, "can demonstrate what scope Congress intended the word 'licensing' to have as it used that word in this federal statute".

The New York Times

Medtronic said that there was a medical debate about the complications of bone graft use and that any suggestions that it used that issue for marketing purposes was wrong.

The New York Times

Though Marshall may have been the first athlete to be publicly noticed for using podium as a verb, longtime competitive skiers recall hearing it used that way in the '80s.

The New York Times

The first time I heard it used that way, I was over at my friend [British actor] Morwenna Banks's house, she was casually telling a story about a guy who was yelling 'cunt' at someone on the street, and I was like, 'Wow, you can just say that?'" So next on your to-do list is… to reclaim 'cunt'cunt

The Guardian - Film

(And in March, it used that assessment as a basis for criticizing Facebook and Twitter especially for not doing enough to promptly remove illegal hate speech — and also introduced a draft provision to legislate for fines of up to €50M).

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

It uses that authority poorly.

The Economist

Then it uses that base to sell theme park vacations and merchandise.

The New York Times

It uses that information to close the fresh-air intake only when it detects an abnormal spike.

The New York Times - Tech

It uses that energy to send a signal to the cell to turn on particular genes.

Science Magazine

"It's expecting it to be dark at night and bright during the day, and it uses that information.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity, replace "it used that" with more specific verbs like "employed", "utilized", or "leveraged", depending on the intended meaning. Rephrasing often improves readability and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Ensure that "it" has a clear and immediate antecedent. Avoid ambiguity by specifying what "it" refers to, or by rewriting the sentence to eliminate the pronoun altogether.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it used that" functions as a subject-verb-object construction, where "it" is the subject, "used" is the verb, and "that" serves as a pronoun referring to something previously mentioned. Ludwig AI flags this construction as potentially incorrect, suggesting a need for clearer wording.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it used that" is a common but often grammatically questionable construction. While frequently found in "News & Media" and other sources, it is flagged by Ludwig as potentially incorrect. For improved clarity and precision, it is recommended to replace "it used that" with stronger, more specific verbs such as "employed", "utilized", or "leveraged". Ensuring clear pronoun reference and rephrasing for enhanced readability are crucial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it employed that

Emphasizes a formal or deliberate use of something.

it utilized that

Highlights the practical use of something for a specific purpose.

it leveraged that

Suggests using something to gain an advantage or achieve a goal.

it made use of that

Formally states how a thing was put to use

it capitalized on that

Implies taking advantage of an opportunity or resource.

it took advantage of that

Shows how something was used for benefit.

it drew on that

Highlights reliance on a particular source or resource.

it exploited that

Indicates using something, sometimes with a negative connotation of unfair advantage.

it harnessed that

Conveys the idea of controlling and using power or resources effectively.

it benefited from that

Shows how a benefit was obtained from somehing.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it used that" for better clarity?

Consider alternatives like "it employed that", "it utilized that", or "it leveraged that" /s/it+leveraged+that/, depending on the specific context and intended meaning.

Is "it used that" grammatically correct?

While not strictly incorrect, "it used that" can often be improved for clarity and grammatical precision. Stronger verbs and clearer pronoun references often result in better writing.

What's the difference between "it used that" and "it utilized that"?

"It utilized that" is a more formal and precise way of saying "it used that". "Utilized" /s/utilized/ implies a more deliberate and purposeful use.

In what contexts is "it used that" most appropriate?

While appearing in various contexts, "it used that" is generally replaceable with more specific and clearer alternatives. Aim for more precise language in formal or professional writing.