used existing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "used existing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that has already been established or is currently in place, often in the context of resources, systems, or methods. Example: "We used existing data to analyze the trends in customer behavior."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It had a very good arrangement by Herbie Hancock, but it used existing pieces.

The Guardian - Film

His new invention was simple, used existing technology and was cheap, costing the same as regular syringe at 5 cents.

The Guardian

Once he was out of Britain, the authorities used existing laws to revoke his residency rights in Britain and bar him from returning.

The New York Times

They estimated the amount of revenue each country could generate through income tax and used existing aid flows to determine the funds available for implementing social sector programmes.

The Guardian

The company had used existing state and federal guidelines for labeling, a system that does not specifically describe a "natural flavor".

The New York Times

In its second term, the Obama administration has used existing domestic laws to launch a new climate initiative about every five days, according to the White House.

The Guardian - Opinion

Of course, Colonial farmers would have used existing chambers for storage and even temporary shelter while building a nearby house, proving nothing about origin.

The New York Times

We used existing terms to avoid "reinventing the wheel".

Journal of Cheminformatics

Then the researchers used existing computer algorithms to sort the data.

Science Magazine

Hello, like any company, used existing technology for the new Sense's voice recognition, Proud said.

TechCrunch

We used existing models for phytophagous insects (grasshoppers and leafhoppers) from a study on urban brownfields.

Ecological Modelling

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process, clarify why existing resources were used. Mentioning cost-effectiveness or efficiency can strengthen your argument.

Common error

Avoid vagueness by specifying what existing resources were used. Instead of stating "We "used existing" infrastructure", provide details like "We "used existing" fiber optic cables to improve internet speeds".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "used existing" functions as a verb phrase modifying a noun, indicating the act of employing resources or systems that already exist. Ludwig AI shows it is mostly used to describe actions related to methods, data, or structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "used existing" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe employing resources that are already available. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's frequently used across various contexts, from scientific research to news reports. While it's generally considered efficient and straightforward, be mindful of adding specificity to what exactly was "used existing" to enhance clarity. Consider alternatives such as "utilized current" or "leveraged available" depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utilized current

Replaces "used" with a more formal synonym, while maintaining the core meaning.

employed established

Substitutes both "used" and "existing" with synonyms emphasizing the already established nature of the resource.

leveraged available

Implies a strategic advantage gained from using what is already available.

adopted prevailing

Suggests incorporating already accepted or widespread methods or resources.

applied present

Focuses on the act of applying resources that are currently available.

drew on existing

Emphasizes the act of extracting value or support from pre-existing resources.

capitalized on existing

Highlights the opportunistic use of resources that are already in place.

built upon existing

Indicates that something new was created that is based on something already present.

worked with existing

Expresses cooperation and involvement with something that already exists.

relied on existing

Indicates a dependence on something that is already in place.

FAQs

How can I use "used existing" in a sentence?

You can use "used existing" to describe the application of pre-existing resources, methods, or systems. For example, "The company "used existing" infrastructure to reduce costs".

What is a good alternative to "used existing"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "utilized current", "employed established", or "leveraged available".

Is it redundant to say "used existing resources"?

While not strictly redundant, "existing resources" is often implied when using the verb "used". To enhance clarity, consider specifying the type of resources, like "used existing data" or "used existing infrastructure".

What's the difference between "used existing" and "created new"?

"Used existing" implies relying on resources already available, while "created new" means developing something original. They represent opposite approaches; for instance, one might "use existing" software libraries or "create new" ones.