usable

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'usable' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe something that can be used in a practical and/or helpful manner. For example: The chair is still usable, even after all these years.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Britain also relies heavily on arms sales to the Middle East, on the dangerous assumption that the regimes buying them will still be in power to take delivery, and for as long after that as the weapons remain usable.

The Guardian - Opinion

We stroll around with our cameras and notebooks, spotting usable buildings and interesting shots, painfully aware of being completely out of place, every bit as incongruous as the intruding Londoners in our story.

The Guardian - Film

Straightforward, genuine, usable content is preferable – he encourages companies to set up a separate jobs portal for recruitment, for example – but even so, the change tends to be glacial.

The Guardian - Tech

A firm anti-Stalinist, Burlatsky had the intellectual agility to create a usable "Lenin" for reformers.

The Guardian

"This is one of the most important areas of our life," Savulescu adds, "and the amount of usable information science had was infinitesimally small".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

His purpose was to distinguish between those forms of network communication that are hopelessly corrupted and no longer usable, those that are endangered by a continuing assault on the part of an agency gone rogue, and those that, even with their vast power, all their wealth, and all their misplaced ambition, conscientiousness and effort, they still cannot break.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Syria has likewise dug in its heels: it was reported to have been building a nuclear reactor to produce bomb-usable plutonium with North Korea's help, and possibly Iranian cash, until the almost completed structure was bombed by Israel in 2007.Yet the push for tighter rules in support of a stronger NPT has met pushback from others too.

The Economist

No highly enriched weapons-usable uranium or plutonium has been reported stolen since the 1990s, according to Ms Zaitseva.

The Economist

India has since designated some of its reactors as civilian, and open to inspection, but others still churn out spent fuel richly laden with weapons-usable plutonium.

The Economist

It also wanted India to put its experimental fast-breeder reactor programme (which will produce lots of potentially bomb-usable plutonium) on a list of civilian nuclear facilities that, under the deal, will be subject to international safeguards.

The Economist

In an index of countries with at least 1kg of weapons-usable materials, over half of the 25 countries have improved security since the inaugural index two years ago, in particular Japan, Canada and Belgium.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing resources or data, ensure you specify what makes them "usable". For example, "usable data" should be further defined as "usable data for machine learning" or "usable data for analysis".

Common error

Avoid using "usable" as a vague descriptor. Always provide context to clarify what makes something "usable". For instance, instead of saying "the software is usable", specify "the software is usable for beginners" or "the software is usable on mobile devices".

Linguistic Context

The adjective "usable" primarily functions to describe a noun's state or condition, indicating its readiness or capability for use. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples where "usable" modifies nouns, specifying that something is in a state that it can be practically employed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "usable" is a versatile adjective that effectively conveys the suitability of something for use. As Ludwig AI confirms, it adheres to standard grammatical rules and is widely applied across diverse contexts, including news, business, and scientific domains. Its primary function is to describe a noun's condition, emphasizing its readiness and capability for practical application. While "usable" is generally considered correct, providing context about what makes something "usable" is essential for clarity. Alternatives such as "serviceable", "functional", and "available" can be employed depending on the nuance you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ready for use

Focuses on the immediate availability of something for its intended purpose.

in working order

Emphasizes the functional aspect, suggesting that something is operational and not broken.

fit for purpose

Highlights the suitability of something for a specific task or requirement.

available for use

Stresses the accessibility and permissibility of using something.

serviceable

Indicates that something is in good enough condition to be used, though perhaps not in perfect condition.

functional

Focuses on the ability of something to perform its function effectively.

operational

Suggests that something is actively running or capable of running.

applicable

Highlights the relevance and appropriateness of something for a given situation.

employable

Focuses on the possibility that something is in a state that it can be put into use.

practical

Implies that something is effective and efficient in real-world situations.

FAQs

How can I use the word "usable" in a sentence?

The adjective "usable" describes something capable of being used. For example, "This information is "usable" for our project" or "Ensure the equipment is "usable" before starting".

What are some synonyms for "usable"?

Alternatives to "usable" include "serviceable", "functional", "operational", and "available". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "usable" and "useable"?

While both spellings exist, "usable" is the more commonly accepted and preferred spelling. "Useable" is generally considered a variant and is less frequently encountered in formal writing.

What is the opposite of "usable"?

The antonym of "usable" is "unusable", which describes something that cannot be used.