used

USAGE SUMMARY

"used" is a perfectly acceptable and widely-used word in written English.
It can be used either as an adjective or a verb. Example Sentence: This computer has been used for the past five years.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Tech

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

An example of this has been analysed in a recent paper in Nature Climate Change that tried to get a grip on the sources that US politicians used to inform themselves about climate change.

The Guardian

Sweeping US surveillance powers used by the National Security Agency expired at midnight after a dramatic showdown in the Senate.

The Guardian

"We are used to it.

The New York Times

It took a little to get used to, but it's great".

The Guardian - Tech

It is believed to have launched a long-range rocket and put an object into orbit in December 2012, defying scepticism and international warnings not to pursue such a programme, which could be used to develop intercontinental missiles.

The Guardian

In 1999 the compliant parliament voted for Niyazov to become president for life, and in 2002, he used an alleged assassination attempt to legitimise a far-reaching crackdown on political opponents.

The Guardian

I also used to have the TV on in the background over the course of the day for company, but I've stopped doing that now.

The Guardian

It also tells you the meaning of "zedded", "donds" and other strange words used by RR regulars.

The Guardian - Music

Clinton first addressed the issue in March, shortly after transparency concerns were raised following reports that she used only a personal email account to conduct government business.

The Guardian

"The UWA vice chancellor found himself in an impossible position when the centre was used as a political football.

The Guardian

Better get used to it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When indicating past habits or states, clarify whether you mean a discontinued action ("I "used" to live there") or a current state of being ("I am "used" to the noise").

Common error

Avoid omitting the 'd' in "used to" when referring to past habits; "use to" is grammatically incorrect in this context.

Linguistic Context

The word "used" primarily functions as the past tense and past participle of the verb 'use', indicating an action that has been performed. It also serves as an adjective to describe something that has been previously employed. This dual functionality is evident in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "used" is a versatile term in the English language, functioning primarily as a verb and adjective. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct, and it's prevalent across many contexts. It's essential to distinguish between its usage as the past tense of 'use' and as an adjective describing something previously employed. Common errors, such as omitting the 'd' in "used to", should be avoided. When seeking alternatives, consider "utilized", "employed", or "accustomed to", depending on the desired nuance. The phrase exhibits a neutral register and is most frequently encountered in news and media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utilized

Focuses more on the active employment of something for a specific purpose, emphasizing efficiency.

employed

Suggests a more formal and deliberate use of something, often in a professional or technical context.

accustomed to

Highlights familiarity and comfort with something, emphasizing the process of becoming used to it.

habituated to

Implies a deep-seated habit or routine, suggesting a long-term adaptation to something.

pre-owned

Specifically refers to something that has been owned by someone else previously, typically in a commercial context.

second-hand

Similar to "pre-owned" but can also imply that the item is not new and might show signs of wear.

exercised

Emphasizes the act of putting a right, power, or quality into effect.

brought into play

Focuses on the introduction or application of something into a particular situation or activity.

had recourse to

Implies turning to something as a means of help or a solution to a problem.

resorted to

Suggests turning to something as a last option, often implying that it is not the ideal choice.

FAQs

How can I use "used" in a sentence?

"Used" can function as a verb (past tense of use) or an adjective. Examples: "I "used" a pen" (verb), "This is a "used" book" (adjective).

What's the difference between "used to" and "be used to"?

"Used to" indicates a past habit or state that is no longer true, while "be used to" means being accustomed or familiar with something. You can also use "accustomed to" as an alternative to be used to.

What can I say instead of "used" when talking about a pre-owned item?

Alternatives include "pre-owned", "second-hand", or "previously owned" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I use to" instead of "I used to"?

No, "I use to" is grammatically incorrect when referring to a past habit. The correct form is "I "used" to". Remember that "used to" is referring to something from the past.