use
part of speech
verb, noun (use, uses, used, using)
meaning for a pupil
1) To use something is to do something with it for a job or purpose: use a pencil to write. tree →
2) When you use paint, food or money, some of it is gone: use 2 eggs. tree →
3) A use is a purpose or way something can be used: a brick has many uses. tree →
4) The use of something is the act of using it, or the right to use it. tree →
5) «It's no use» means it will not help. tree →
sense in the lessons
Maths: amounts used up (taken away) or used for each item (rate): «uses 2 eggs for each cake» means multiply. Everyday: use your manners, use the stairs, make use of, «in use» (being used). Environment: reduce, reuse, recycle.
examples
- She uses 2 eggs for each cake. tree →
- He used 15 of his 40 stickers. tree →
- How many cups does she use in a week? tree →
- They use 3 liters of water a day. tree →
- Use a ruler to draw a straight line. tree →
- Can I use your phone, please? tree →
- Reuse old jars to store buttons. tree →
- It's no use crying about it. tree →
- ‘Who’s been using my little fork?’ tree →
note
Verb: use, used, using (said with a «z» sound); noun «use» (said with an «s» sound). Using something usually takes it away; «uses 2 for each» is a rate, so multiply. Trap: «used to» is a different meaning (see used).
In the corpora
- Some families use a food bank for a while, which is help, not shame.
- A scan picture is made by a machine that uses sound waves to see the baby inside the body without hurting.
- A woman who is never seen outside may use a wheelchair on a path with steps.
- Famous faces are used in scams; a real giveaway never asks for your password.
- Scary music is used to build suspense: it tells you something might happen before anything does.
Trees and pragmatics
Every meaning and example of «use» parsed by Mova, each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.