usage

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "usage" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the way in which words, phrases, or concepts are used in writing, or to refer to the amount of something being used. Example sentence: The usage of the term "climate change" has increased in recent years.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Enthusiastic Wii Sports usage has seen televisions destroyed by flying remotes and a variety of injuries, including fractured limbs, dislocated knee caps, torn knee ligaments and facial injuries.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Victoria Jaye, head of TV content for the BBC iPlayer, said on a BBC blog there had been a "significant surge in BBC iPlayer usage, as people all over the country un-wrap new devices and take the opportunity to enjoy our terrific range of programmes, at a time that suits them".

The Guardian

Strikingly, over the three weeks the project has been running, the street's average energy use has dropped by 15%, with some people cutting usage by as much as 30%.

The Guardian

It added that the financial crisis may have been a factor in more recent increases in usage, noting that in Spain and Portugal, for example, antidepressant prescriptions have jumped by more than 20% over the past five years.

The Guardian

Compare My Energy is an online tool available in the UK that compares a consumer's energy usage with similar households in their area (though not yet for Wales).

The Guardian

"It's so much easier to manage usage," Dariusz said.

The Guardian

I'm very pleased to see that for properties like ours, we're quite significantly below average on gas usage and marginally below average on electricity.

The Guardian

Our mobile usage has doubled in the past year, so it's definitely a priority for us.

The Guardian

The disclosure bill, a complement to one pushed in the Senate last week, is the latest in a series of legislative attempts to rein in the NSA's collection and analysis of Americans' phone records and, potentially, Internet usage.

The Guardian

We have implemented pan-African human rights activism at the grassroots by optimising usage of our social media networks.

The Guardian

The first references to the bedroom tax in our corpus appear in 2011 but usage increased dramatically around the time this new provision came into force, in April 2013.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to the action of using something, ensure that "usage" is followed by a prepositional phrase clarifying the object being used (e.g., "usage of resources").

Common error

Avoid using "usage" when "use" is more concise and direct. "Use" often suffices, especially when referring to the action of using something in general. For example, prefer "the use of technology" over "the usage of technology" in most contexts.

Linguistic Context

The word "usage" functions primarily as a noun, referring to the act of using something or the manner in which it is used. According to Ludwig AI, this is grammatically correct and usable in written English. The examples demonstrate its use in various contexts such as energy consumption, language application, and technology adoption.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "usage" is a versatile noun that refers to the act or manner of using something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and frequently encountered in diverse contexts, particularly in news, business, and scientific domains. While "usage" is widely applicable, it's important to consider whether the simpler term "use" might be more appropriate for conciseness. By understanding its grammatical function, communicative purpose, and stylistic register, you can effectively incorporate "usage" into your writing to convey precise and informative meaning. Alternatives such as "utilization", "application", and "employment" offer nuanced options for expressing similar concepts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utilization

Refers more directly to the act of making practical and effective use of something.

application

Emphasizes the practical employment of something for a specific purpose.

employment

Suggests the active engagement or use of something.

exercise

Implies the active deployment or exertion of a skill, right, or quality.

consumption

Specifically refers to the act of using resources, goods, or services.

implementation

Focuses on putting a plan or system into effect.

operation

Refers to the practical functioning or use of a system or mechanism.

practice

Highlights the habitual or customary way of doing something.

exploitation

Implies making full use of a resource, sometimes with negative connotations.

handling

Indicates the way something is managed or used.

FAQs

How can I use "usage" in a sentence?

You can use "usage" to describe the way something is used or the amount of something being used. For example, "The "usage of social media" has increased significantly in recent years."

What is a good substitute for the word "usage"?

Depending on the context, alternatives like "utilization", "application", or "employment" may be suitable replacements.

When is it better to use "use" instead of "usage"?

"Use" is often preferred for its conciseness and directness, especially when referring to the general action of using something. For instance, it's usually better to say "the "use of technology"" instead of "the usage of technology".

What's the difference between "use" and "usage"?

"Use" typically refers to the act of employing something, whereas "usage" often describes the manner or amount of using something. "Usage" can also refer to a customary practice or accepted way of doing something.