use up

USAGE SUMMARY

"use up" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something has been used up or consumed, either physically or metaphorically. For example: "We used up all the tissues in the house during the winter flu season."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I use up less space.

The New York Times - Magazine

Some people use up their material.

The New Yorker

You use up fuel; you do not use up numbers.

The Economist

They use up all the funds.

The Guardian

Repeat to use up all the shells and filling.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It is a great way to use up leftover turkey.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Use up the card and buy more minutes.

The New York Times

So tomorrow will use up all my adrenaline.

The New Yorker

He must use up all his energy in the gym.

The New York Times

"I never used to use up my iPhone allowance.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

They also must use up-to-date pollution controls.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider the specific context to select the most precise synonym for "use up". For instance, in discussing financial resources, "deplete" might be more appropriate, while "finish off" could work better for food items.

Common error

While "use up" is versatile, avoid overusing it in formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "consume", "deplete", or "exhaust" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "use up" functions primarily as a transitive verb, requiring an object. It signifies the complete consumption or depletion of something, whether it's a tangible resource or an intangible asset like energy. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

25%

Lifestyle

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "use up" is a versatile and frequently used expression that signifies the complete consumption or depletion of a resource. While grammatically correct and widely applicable, its register leans towards neutral, making it suitable for general writing but potentially less ideal for formal academic or professional contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, examples across diverse sources like news, lifestyle, and wiki pages demonstrate its common usage. Consider substituting it with synonyms like "consume", "deplete", or "exhaust" in more formal settings to maintain a professional tone and improve precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consume entirely

Focuses on complete consumption, highlighting the extent of usage.

deplete completely

Emphasizes the exhaustion of a resource to its fullest extent.

exhaust fully

Similar to deplete, but places more emphasis on the process of using something until nothing remains.

finish off

Indicates the final act of using something until it is gone.

go through

Suggests a process of consuming or using something over a period of time.

expend completely

Highlights the complete spending or using of resources.

get through

Similar to "go through", it focuses on completing the use of something, often under time constraints.

run out of

Shifts the focus to the state of having nothing left after using something.

drain completely

Implies a gradual but complete removal of something, like energy or resources.

dissipate entirely

Describes a complete and often wasteful using up of something, like energy or opportunities.

FAQs

How can I use "use up" in a sentence?

You can use "use up" to indicate that something has been consumed, depleted, or exhausted. For example, "We need to "use up" the leftover vegetables before they go bad" or "The project will "use up" all our resources".

What can I say instead of "use up"?

Alternatives to "use up" include "consume entirely", "deplete completely", or "exhaust fully", depending on the specific context.

Is "use up" formal or informal?

"Use up" is generally considered informal. In formal writing, consider using synonyms such as "consume", "deplete", or "exhaust" for a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "use up" and "consume"?

While both "use up" and "consume" indicate the act of using something, "use up" often implies a complete depletion or exhaustion of the resource, whereas "consume" can simply mean to utilize or make use of something.