Utilize Vs Use

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lcs37

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Jul 31, 2002
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Years ago, I was required to attend a lecture on reducing the amount of gobblygook written into USAF Regulations, ops plans etc.
:p I don't remember any of the lecture now, EXCEPT the lectures beef with the words UTILIZE, UTILIZATION. The lecturer from the AF Academy recommended the word USE in lieu of UTILIZE/UTILIZATION. Sounde simple to me and more appropriate in my minds eye.

I have since looked in dictionaries several times. Multiplle definitions for Utilize/Utilization, EXTREMELY brief for USE.

English grammer was never one of my strong points, but I prefer USE as opposed to UTILIZE/UTILIZATION.

I see the utilize/utilization USED quite frequently and it still raises a flag .

Any grammar experts out in our Khukuri family, that can put this to rest for me.
This flagged me again in a recent post I read.

Never use a handgun when a longarm can be utilized
I like it better Never use a hangun when a longarm can be used.

Somebody clear this up for me. :)
 
Not enough difference to matter, but "utilize" does sound high toned, ain't that be right? :D

My favorite example of "hign toned" lingo is an expresion used in geography back in the late 1960's (and today?): "Areal unit." "This forest is an areal unit of five square miles." I guess it sounded better than "has an area of five square miles." In those days, geography wanted to be a "social science." "Interaction nodes." "Interchange ratios." "Attraction Indices." :rolleyes:
 
I agree with the English composition manuals that recommend simple alternatives.

By the way, the French verb that's spelled like "use" means something like "abuse."
 
lcs37 said:
Any grammar experts out in our Khukuri family, that can put this to rest for me.
This flagged me again in a recent post I read.

Never use a handgun when a longarm can be utilized
I like it better Never use a hangun when a longarm can be used.

Somebody clear this up for me. :)
Click to expand...

I believe the correct grammatical usage is:



Never use a handgun when high explosives can be used.
 
There's a time and a place for each one.

The unintelligent but incredibly attractive woman you met at the bar last night takes it much better if you inform her that she was utilized for her body.... :D
 
I always thought that if invited to a gunfight one should decline due to a previous out-of-state committment.
 
"Use" is when a woman tries to convice you not to use birth control because she is.

Example: "That chick wants to use me to get knocked up." :mad:

"Utilize" is when your kukri serves as an axe, skinning knife, and latrine shovel in one trip.

As in "My kukri was utilized to a modest extent." :cool:

In my opinion. :p
 
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