they made use of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they made use of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing how someone utilized or employed something for a specific purpose. Example: "In their research, they made use of various statistical methods to analyze the data."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

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

The New York Times - Arts

To simulate a rough surface, they made use of bump maps.

Stanford University

Later, they made use of more elaborate scenery and featured the Italian-style proscenium arch.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They made use of the right of the free movement of people.

The Guardian

They made use of strict party discipline to control any remaining assertiveness.

The Guardian

They made use of every bit of information to which they, unlike their parents, had access.

The New Yorker

And they made use of a magnetic compass at least a century before the first reference to it appeared elsewhere.

The Economist

When God-fearing immigrants moved into the neighbourhoods, they made use of these large halls, which could be bought cheaply.

The Economist

During the interviews, we asked the policy workers to demonstrate how they extracted information from source documents and how they made use of it.

International Journal of Information Management

A recent project within the author's research group conducted a survey amongst 160 system administrators, to determine the ways in which they made use of security tools.

Computer Fraud & Security

They made use of every technique they could think of: for the ominous strings on "Bad Religion," they had only a few string players to work with.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider the nuance you want to convey. "They made use of" is generally neutral, but alternatives like "they exploited" or "they capitalized on" can add a specific connotation.

Common error

While "they made use of" isn't inherently passive, overuse can lead to wordy sentences. Sometimes, a more direct phrasing like "they used" can be clearer and more impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they made use of" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the action of employing or utilizing something. Ludwig examples show its versatile usage across different subjects. It highlights the active application of resources, methods, or tools.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

34%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they made use of" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression that signifies the act of utilizing or employing something. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and broad applicability across varied writing styles. While mainly located in scientific reports, news media and encyclopedias, it's adaptable to both neutral and somewhat formal contexts. When seeking alternatives, options like "they utilized" or "they employed" can provide similar meanings with slightly different nuances. Awareness of potential stylistic choices is essential to prevent overusing passive voice and ensuring writing is clear and impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they utilized

Replaces "made use of" with a more formal verb, emphasizing efficient use.

they employed

Similar to 'utilized', suggesting a deliberate and strategic application.

they took advantage of

Suggests exploiting an opportunity or resource that was available.

they capitalized on

Highlights transforming something into an advantage or benefit.

they leveraged

Implies using something to gain maximum advantage or impact.

they drew on

Indicates using knowledge, experience, or resources as a source.

they harnessed

Focuses on controlling and using something, often a natural resource.

they exploited

Can have a negative connotation, suggesting unfair or selfish use.

they availed themselves of

A more formal and less common way of saying they took advantage of.

they benefited from

Highlights the positive outcome or advantage gained from using something.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "they made use of"?

You can use alternatives like "they utilized", "they employed", or "they took advantage of" depending on the context.

Is "they made use of" formal or informal?

The phrase "they made use of" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. Simpler alternatives like "they used" are suitable for informal contexts.

How to use "they made use of" in a sentence?

The phrase "they made use of" is followed by the thing or concept that was utilized. For example, "They made use of the latest technology".

What is the difference between "they made use of" and "they used"?

"They used" is a more direct and simpler way of saying "they made use of". The latter can sometimes add a slightly more formal tone, but the difference is often negligible.