use, utilize

Use and utilize are not interchangeable verbs.

As a verb, use has a number of meanings:

• to put into action or service;
• to carry out a purpose;
• or to be put into habit.

Use is also a noun, and means the act of employing or putting something into action.

Utilize means to make use of or convert to use, indicating that the purpose is beyond regular use or is new or novel.
For example:

• Use: Hydroxychloroquine is used to treat malaria. It is also used to treat autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus by slowing down the autoimmune system.
• Utilize: In 2020, some people began incorrectly utilizing hydroxychloroquine to prevent CoVid-19 despite evidence to the contrary.

In the above example, the word use indicates the common act of putting the drug hydroxychloroquine into action while the word utilize shows a novel way of way of using it.

• Use: For years, the old building was used as a warehouse.
• Utilize: Now it’s being utilized as a business incubator, where small business have set up booths to for a modest fee.

In the above example, again we see the word use indicates how the building was commonly employed. Utilize indicates a way of stretching its purpose.

When in doubt, the word use is the better word choice.

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