resort to using

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "resort to using" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to describe a situation in which a person or group has decided to respond to a problem by using a particular strategy or measure. For example, "The company resorted to using more dramatic advertising tactics in order to boost their sales."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Others resort to using cables on hand.

The New York Times - Tech

Or would they resort to using their carbines?

The Economist

And Brutus should not have to resort to using a banana to kill Julius Caesar.

The New York Times

If you do have to resort to using rodenticide, call in an expert.

The New York Times

I had to resort to using a steak knife to saw the case off.

The New York Times - Tech

"Or they resort to using ordinary powdered milk, which is a lot cheaper to buy than branded baby formula.

The Guardian - Business

Less daring investigators might resort to using only the data that a corporation volunteers, but here, too, there are pitfalls.

The New Yorker

Damon said he never believed Ramirez would be the kind of player to resort to using performance-enhancing drugs.

The New York Times - Sports

In their attempts to capture the animals of the reef, fishers may resort to using dragnets and explosives.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Many users first discovered the bug when links in Google searches made within Safari stopped working, leading some to resort to using Bing, which had a similar effect.

The Guardian - Tech

And so a crew of about sixty rescuers, as in the old days, had to resort to using probes (long poles) to find the bodies.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "resort to using", ensure that the action being resorted to is clearly less desirable than other options. This emphasizes the sense of necessity or desperation.

Common error

Avoid using "resort to using" when a more direct verb would suffice. Overusing this phrase can weaken your writing. Instead of "they resorted to using force", consider "they used force" if the context doesn't explicitly imply it was a last resort.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "resort to using" functions as a verb phrase indicating the adoption of a particular action or method as a necessary or unavoidable step, often due to the failure or unavailability of more preferred options. Ludwig provides several examples demonstrating this use across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "resort to using" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that a particular action is taken as a necessary measure, often implying that other options were less feasible or desirable. As Ludwig AI confirms, its use is widespread across various contexts, including news, science, and business. When incorporating this phrase into your writing, consider the implicit sense of necessity it conveys and ensure it aligns with the intended meaning. Be aware of potential overuse, opting for more direct verbs when appropriate, and ensure the context justifies the implication that the action was a fallback strategy. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "resort to using" to add nuance and precision to your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

turn to using

Emphasizes the act of directing one's attention or actions towards a specific method.

fall back on using

Suggests a reliance on something as a backup plan when other options are unavailable.

have recourse to using

Implies a formal or official authorization to use something, often as a last option.

be compelled to use

Highlights the feeling of being forced or obliged to use something due to circumstances.

be reduced to using

Indicates that one is in a disadvantageous situation that forces them to use something.

find it necessary to use

Implies that a particular method is required or essential in a given situation.

adopt the practice of using

Focuses on the implementation and continued use of a particular method or technique.

employ the strategy of using

Highlights a deliberate and planned approach to using something for a specific purpose.

take to using

Emphasizes the start of a new habit or behavior of using something.

begin utilizing

Focuses on commencing the process of using resources or methods effectively.

FAQs

How can I use "resort to using" in a sentence?

You can use "resort to using" to indicate that someone is doing something because other options have failed or are not available. For example, "Due to the budget cuts, the department had to "resort to using" outdated equipment".

What are some alternatives to "resort to using"?

Alternatives include "turn to using", "fall back on using", or "be compelled to use", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to "resort to using" something?

While "resort to using" often implies a negative situation or a less desirable option, it is not inherently negative. It simply indicates that a particular method was chosen after other possibilities were considered or exhausted.

What's the difference between "resort to using" and "start using"?

"Start using" simply means beginning to use something. "Resort to using" implies a sense of necessity, desperation, or that other options were tried first. For example, a company might "start using" a new software, but they would "resort to using" emergency generators during a power outage.