very used

USAGE SUMMARY

"very used" is a correct phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that something has been used frequently or extensively. For example, you could say: "This sofa is very used—it looks like it's been around for years!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Those of us connected to 'Jane Eyre' are very used to rumor," said Annette Niemtzow, the lead producer.

The New York Times

"I felt very used".

The New York Times

I got very used to it".

The New Yorker

Viewers are very used to that.

The Guardian

"But I've been very used to adapting all my life.

The Guardian

"I was very used to being an outsider.

The Guardian - Books

I got very used to seeing him every day.

The Guardian

"Kids are very used to learning," Mr. Pincus said.

The New York Times

We are very used to celebrating the amateur, the enthusiast, the hidden talent in this country.

The Guardian - Music

The staff and volunteers are very used to finding people in tears in the building.

The Guardian - Arts

"I've become very used to him coming home and saying 'I'm off to Brazil tomorrow.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "very used", consider whether a more specific and evocative word might better convey the intended meaning. For example, instead of saying "The book was very used", you could say "The book was well-worn".

Common error

Avoid redundancy by replacing "very used" with stronger single-word adjectives like "worn", "utilized", or "exploited" depending on the context. This enhances clarity and conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very used" functions as an adjective phrase, where 'very' intensifies the past participle 'used'. This construction describes the extent to which something has been utilized or experienced. Ludwig AI confirms this through its analysis of numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "very used" is a grammatically correct and commonly employed phrase used to emphasize the extent of utilization or experience. Ludwig AI indicates that while acceptable, consider using stronger single-word alternatives for enhanced clarity and conciseness. It is most frequently found in News & Media contexts, with secondary usage in scientific and business domains. For variations, consider alternatives such as "accustomed to", "habituated to" or "well-acquainted with".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accustomed to

Implies a state of being familiar with something, often through repeated exposure.

habituated to

Suggests a process of becoming used to something, often implying a change in behavior or perception.

well-acquainted with

Highlights a strong level of familiarity and understanding.

no stranger to

Indicates that someone is familiar with a particular experience, often implying resilience or adaptability.

versed in

Implies knowledge and experience in a specific area.

long accustomed to

Emphasizes the duration of familiarity with something.

deeply familiar with

Indicates a profound and comprehensive understanding.

comfortable with

Implies a sense of ease and confidence in dealing with something.

adapted to

Focuses on the process of adjusting to a new situation or environment.

inured to

Suggests a desensitization to something, often unpleasant, through repeated exposure.

FAQs

What does "very used" mean?

The phrase "very used" means something has been utilized or experienced frequently or extensively. It implies a high degree of usage or exposure.

What are some alternatives to "very used"?

Alternatives include "accustomed to", "habituated to", or "well-acquainted with", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "very used"?

Yes, "very used" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard structure of an adverb modifying a past participle. However, consider more descriptive alternatives for enhanced writing.

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

You can use "very used" in a sentence to describe something that has been utilized extensively. For example: "The tools in the workshop are "frequently used", so they need regular maintenance".