made use of

USAGE SUMMARY

"made use of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to either the act of utilizing or employing something, or when referring to the past tense of the verb "use." For example, "The company made use of their latest technology to increase efficiency."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Have you made use of remittances?

The New York Times

It needs to be made use of.

The Economist

The engineers made use of the delay.

The Guardian

The terrorists made use of that trust.

The New Yorker

(For the animal scenes they made use of local roadkill).

The New York Times - Arts

"I made use of every minute," Cohen said.

The New York Times - Sports

Jackson Pollock made use of metallic industrial colours.

The Guardian - Arts

But the revolution made use of the base, too.

The New Yorker

Elsewhere, Verne made use of other ancient polar fictions.

The New Yorker

Mr. Mayer has made use of this physical resemblance.

The New York Times

He has made use of that historic dividing line before.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, consider using "utilized" or "employed" as more concise alternatives to "made use of" to maintain a streamlined and professional tone.

Common error

While "made use of" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal in casual writing. Opt for simpler verbs like "used" to maintain a natural and conversational tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made use of" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating the action of employing or utilizing something. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in describing how resources, methods, or opportunities were leveraged.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

34%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "made use of" is a versatile verb phrase that effectively conveys the utilization of resources or methods. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. While common across various domains, including science, news, and academia, it's important to consider the context and choose a simpler alternative like "used" in informal settings. For more formal or professional writing, "utilized" or "employed" might be preferable. Remember to avoid overuse in casual speech and explore synonyms to diversify your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utilized

This is a more concise and direct synonym, suitable for many contexts where "made use of" is appropriate.

employed

Similar to 'utilized', this suggests a purposeful and effective use of something.

availed oneself of

A more formal and less common alternative, implying taking advantage of an opportunity or resource.

capitalized on

This suggests taking advantage of a situation or resource for one's benefit.

took advantage of

Indicates using something available, sometimes with a connotation of opportunism.

drew on

Implies using something as a source or foundation.

exploited

Can suggest using something to its fullest potential, but may also carry a negative connotation of unfair use.

harnessed

Implies controlling and using something, often a natural resource or energy.

leveraged

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

applied

Focuses on putting something into practical use.

FAQs

How can I use "made use of" in a sentence?

You can use "made use of" to indicate that something was utilized or employed. For example, "The researchers "made use of" advanced technology to analyze the data."

What's the difference between "used" and "made use of"?

"Used" is a simpler and more direct term, while "made use of" can sound more formal and emphatic. The choice depends on the desired tone and context.

Are there any synonyms for "made use of" that are less formal?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "used", "employed", or "utilized" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "made use of" always the best choice for formal writing?

While "made use of" is suitable for formal writing, alternatives like "employed" or "utilized" can be more concise and maintain a professional tone.