Good writers and speakers use words carefully. They weigh the words as it were, and use them to best effects.

Words that seem to have the same meaning are the trickiest lot to use correctly. There are shades of difference in the meaning, and these may call for exercising discretion before using them. The usage depends on context, register and effect.

Take for example, the words use and utilize. Do not assume that there are only two words in English to convey the meaning that 'you are doing something with the help of something to get some desired results'--the meaning being use.

Besides use and utilize, we have employ, make use of something, exercise, resort to, apply and exploit.

There is no difference in meaning between Use and Utilize. You use use in everyday English while you use utilize in formal contexts such as in reports, research, or speaking at a formal gathering.

The Senator said that the government was utilizing the funds for a good cause.

He said he had used bad language and said sorry.

I want to use the restroom.

Use your head to get the answer.

When you use what is available to you, you make use of it. The staff made use of all the old stock, before opening the case of the new one.

When you use a method or skill, you employ them. The doctor employed state of the art technology for the surgery. The government employed everything they could, to check the insurgents.

We can use exploit with the meaning use. However, this word has negative connotation, and you must be careful when you use this word. Exploit means making full and effective use of something so that you have advantage over a situation or an opponent.

She exploited his sentimental love for her, and made him buy expensive gifts.

Many multinational companies exploit cheap labor in the third world countries.

When you use an idea or method, knowledge or skill, you use the word apply to speak about the use.

She applied her knowledge of transactional analysis at the counseling sessions.

They wanted to apply kaizen at the weekly meeting they held.

Finally we come to the phrase resort to. When you use violence, coercion, subterfuge or cunning to get what you want, you resort to them. They resorted to violence to control the crowd that was now turning a mob.

Do you now see how many words we have with the meaning use, and how the words differ in the way they are used?

ganeshan ramachandran