What is the Difference Between Use and Usage?

The main difference between "use" and "usage" is that "use" can function as both a noun and a verb, while "usage" is only a noun and is more formal than "use" as a noun. Both words refer to utilizing something to achieve particular results, but they have distinct applications:

• Use (verb): This means to put something into action or service, or to take advantage of something. It can also refer to the action of using something. For example, "Did you use the discount code I gave you?".
• Use (noun): This often refers to the act of putting something into service or action, or the purpose for which something is utilized. For example, "The supplements are known to have many uses.".
• Usage (noun): This typically refers to a customary or firmly established practice, or the way in which words or phrases are commonly used in a language. For example, "Proper usage dictates that everyone roll the dice at the same time.".

Although "use" and "usage" share similarities and can sometimes function interchangeably when both are nouns, they cannot be used interchangeably in all contexts due to their different grammatical functions.

Comparative Table: Use vs Usage

The terms "use" and "usage" are often confused, but they have distinct meanings and applications. Here is a table that highlights the differences between the two:

In summary, "use" is a verb that describes the action of employing or applying something, while "usage" is a noun that focuses on the proper or correct way of using something, often in the context of language.