uses

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'uses' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a noun to refer to the manner or number of ways in which something is used, or as a verb to mean to put something to a particular use. Example sentence: We examined all the possible uses of the software.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He tweeted of the teen comedian, who uses a walking frame: "@fatjacko is going to go on making us all laugh for many years to come".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The public health community has an important role to play in demonstrating the magnitude of tobacco's threat to public health and calling on governments to strip away the trademark protections, rights to sue and opportunities to lobby that big tobacco uses to bully public representatives.

The Guardian

The latest evolution of tobacco company strategies involves new nicotine products that make smoking attractive and confound the boundary between toxic and less toxic uses.

The Guardian

The royal commission into institutional responses to child sexual abuse has heard the church still uses the defence when victims come forward.

The Guardian

And an incredibly cheesy Budweiser advert uses the bond between a man and his dog to promote road safety.

The Guardian

Video Nation uses new technology, not aggressively, but imaginatively and benignly.

The Guardian

At fashion boutique Bodice, owner Ruchika Sachdeva offers androgynous design, unconventional cuts and uses traditional methods such as block printing.

The Guardian - Travel

Vicki Hughes, for example, uses many of Brighton's coffee shops to conduct a lot of the business for her company, Fugu PR. "There is definitely something unique about Brighton and coffee shops," she says.

The Guardian

Traditional Chinese medicine uses formulas including rhubarb, tangerine, cardamom and liquorice and five or more herbs.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A Family Behind Glass by Matthew Hedley Stoppard (Valley Press), uses inventive language and striking imagery, and is one of the most arresting poetry collections of the year.

The Guardian - Books

That announcement was also the source of Twitter's infamous "quadrant" guidance, when the company attempted to explain which uses of its API were acceptable, and which weren't.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process or system, use "uses" to clearly indicate the tools, methods, or resources involved. This ensures clarity and avoids ambiguity in your explanation.

Common error

Ensure the subject performing the action of "uses" is clearly defined. Avoid passive voice or ambiguous constructions that obscure who or what is doing the using.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "uses" is as a third-person singular present tense verb. It indicates an action performed by a singular subject in the present. Ludwig shows numerous examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "uses" is a common and grammatically correct verb form, functioning primarily as the third-person singular present tense of "use". As Ludwig confirms, it is versatile and appears frequently in various contexts, especially in news and media. While synonyms like "employs" and "utilizes" offer alternatives, "uses" maintains a neutral register suitable for broad application. When writing, ensure clarity regarding the subject performing the action and avoid vague references to enhance understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

employs

This alternative emphasizes the act of putting something to work, especially a resource or skill.

utilizes

This suggests using something for a specific purpose, often in a practical or efficient manner.

applies

This refers to putting something into operation or action, often a method or technique.

adopts

This implies choosing and implementing a particular method or approach.

implements

This suggests putting a plan or system into effect.

deploys

This often indicates strategically using resources or personnel.

exercises

This implies the active application of a skill or right.

leverages

This suggests using something to maximum advantage.

harnesses

This refers to controlling and using natural resources or energy.

operates with

This describes how something functions or is powered by something else.

FAQs

How to use "uses" in a sentence?

The word "uses" is typically used as the third-person singular form of the verb "use". For example, "She "uses" a specific software for her work."

What can I say instead of "uses"?

You can use alternatives like "employs", "utilizes", or "applies" depending on the context to add variety to your writing. Refer to the related phrases section for more alternatives.

Which is correct, "uses" or "use"?

"Uses" is the third-person singular present tense form, while "use" is the base form of the verb. The correct choice depends on the subject; for example, "He "uses"" vs. "They "use"".

What's the difference between "uses" and "utilizes"?

"Utilizes" is a more formal and emphatic synonym for "uses". While both mean to make use of something, "utilizes" often implies efficiency and purposefulness.