Use vs. Wear

By Muazma Batool — Published on January 10, 2023

Difference Between Use and Wear
Use vs. Wear Definitions
◉Use
To put into service or employ for a purpose
I used a whisk to beat the eggs. The song uses only three chords.

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May 03, 2023
◉Wear
To carry or have on one's person as covering, adornment, or protection
wearing a jacket.
must wear a seat belt.

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May 03, 2023
◉Wear
To carry or have habitually on one's person, especially as an aid
wears glasses.

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May 03, 2023
◉Use
To conduct oneself toward; treat or handle
"the peace offering of a man who once used you unkindly" (Laurence Sterne).

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May 03, 2023
◉Use
To seek or achieve an end by means of; exploit
used their highly placed friends to gain access to the president.
felt he was being used by seekers of favor.

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May 03, 2023
◉Wear
To bear, carry, or maintain in a particular manner
wears her hair long.

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May 03, 2023
◉Use
To take or consume for a purpose
She used her savings to buy a computer.

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May 03, 2023
◉Wear
To damage, diminish, erode, or consume by long or hard use, attrition, or exposure. Often used with away, down, or off
rocks worn away by the sea.
shoes worn down at the heels.

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May 03, 2023
◉Use
(ys, yst) Used in the past tense followed by to in order to indicate a former state, habitual practice, or custom
Mail service used to be faster.

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May 03, 2023
◉Wear
To produce by constant use, attrition, or exposure
eventually wore hollows in the stone steps.

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May 03, 2023
◉Wear
To bring to a specified condition by long use or attrition
wore the clothes to rags.
pebbles worn smooth.

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May 03, 2023
◉Use
The act of using something; the application or employment of something for a purpose
with the use of a calculator.
skilled in the use of the bow and arrow.

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May 03, 2023
◉Wear
To fatigue, weary, or exhaust
Your incessant criticism has worn my patience.

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May 03, 2023
◉Use
The permission, privilege, or benefit of using something
gave us the use of their summerhouse.

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May 03, 2023
◉Wear
To break down or diminish through use or attrition
The rear tires began to wear.

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May 03, 2023
◉Use
The need or occasion to use or employ something
I have no use for these old clothes.

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May 03, 2023
◉Use
The quality of being suitable or adaptable to an end; usefulness
I tried to be of use in the kitchen.

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May 03, 2023
◉Use
A purpose for which something is used
a tool with several uses.
a pretty bowl, but of what use is it?.

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May 03, 2023
◉Wear
The act of wearing or the state of being worn; use
This shirt is ideal for wear in sultry climates.

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May 03, 2023
◉Use
Gain or advantage; good
There's no use in discussing it. What's the use?.

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May 03, 2023
◉Wear
Clothing, especially of a particular kind or for a particular use. Often used in combination
rainwear.
footwear.

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May 03, 2023
◉Use
Accustomed or usual procedure or practice
"We are but creatures of use and custom" (Mark Twain).

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May 03, 2023
◉Wear
The ability to withstand impairment from use or attrition
The engine has plenty of wear left.

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May 03, 2023
◉Wear
To carry or have equipped on or about one's body, as an item of clothing, equipment, decoration, etc.
He's wearing some nice pants today.
She wore her medals with pride.
Please wear your seatbelt.
Can you wear makeup and sunscreen at {{the same time?
}} He was wearing his lunch after tripping and falling into the buffet.

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May 03, 2023
◉Use
The benefit or profit of lands and tenements of which the legal title is vested in another.

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May 03, 2023
◉Wear
To have or carry on one's person habitually, consistently; or, to maintain in a particular fashion or manner.
He wears eyeglasses.
She wears her hair in braids.

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May 03, 2023
◉Use
The arrangement establishing the equitable right to such benefits and profits.

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May 03, 2023
◉Wear
To bear or display in one's aspect or appearance.
She wore a smile all day.
He walked out of the courtroom wearing an air of satisfaction.

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May 03, 2023
◉Use
A liturgical form practiced in a particular church, ecclesiastical district, or community.

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May 03, 2023
◉Wear
To overcome one's reluctance and endure a (previously specified) situation.
I know you don't like working with him, but you'll just have to wear it.

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May 03, 2023
◉Use
The act of using.
The use of torture has been condemned by the United Nations.

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May 03, 2023
◉Wear
To eat away at, erode, diminish, or consume gradually; to cause a gradual deterioration in; to produce (some change) through attrition, exposure, or constant use.
You're going to wear a hole in the bottom of those shoes.
The water has slowly worn a channel into these rocks.
Long illness had worn the bloom from her cheeks.
Exile had worn the man to a shadow.

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May 03, 2023
◉Wear
To undergo gradual deterioration; become impaired; be reduced or consumed gradually due to any continued process, activity, or use.
The tiles were wearing thin due to years of children's feet.

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May 03, 2023
◉Wear
To exhaust, fatigue, expend, or weary.
His neverending criticism has finally worn my patience.
Toil and care soon wear the spirit.
Our physical advantage allowed us to wear the other team out and win.

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May 03, 2023
◉Use
A function; a purpose for which something may be employed.
This tool has many uses.

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May 03, 2023
◉Wear
(intransitive) To last or remain durable under hard use or over time; to retain usefulness, value, or desirable qualities under any continued strain or long period of time; sometimes said of a person, regarding the quality of being easy or difficult to tolerate.
Don't worry, this fabric will wear. These pants will last you for years.
This color wears so well. I must have washed this sweater a thousand times.
I have to say, our friendship has worn pretty well.
It's hard to get to know him, but he wears well.

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May 03, 2023
◉Use
Occasion or need to employ; necessity.
I have no further use for these textbooks.

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May 03, 2023
◉Wear
(in the phrase "wearing on (someone)") To cause annoyance, irritation, fatigue, or weariness near the point of an exhaustion of patience.
Her high pitched voice is really wearing on me lately.

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May 03, 2023
◉Wear
To pass slowly, gradually or tediously.
wear on, wear away.
As the years wore on, we seemed to have less and less in common.

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May 03, 2023
◉Wear
(nautical) To bring (a sailing vessel) onto the other tack by bringing the wind around the stern (as opposed to tacking when the wind is brought around the bow); to come round on another tack by turning away from the wind. Also written "ware". Past: weared, or wore/worn.

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May 03, 2023
◉Use
(Christianity) The special form of ritual adopted for use in any diocese.
the Sarum, or Canterbury, use; the Hereford use; the York use; the Roman use; etc.

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May 03, 2023
◉Use
(forging) A slab of iron welded to the side of a forging, such as a shaft, near the end, and afterward drawn down, by hammering, so as to lengthen the forging.

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May 03, 2023
◉Wear
To ward off; prevent from approaching or entering; drive off; repel.
to wear the wolf from the sheep

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May 03, 2023
◉Wear
To conduct or guide with care or caution, as into a fold or place of safety.

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May 03, 2023
◉Use
(transitive) To employ; to apply; to utilize.
Use this knife to slice the bread.
We can use this mathematical formula to solve the problem.

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May 03, 2023
◉Wear
(uncountable) (in combination) clothing
footwear; outdoor wear; maternity wear

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May 03, 2023
◉Use
To expend; to consume by employing.
I used the money they allotted me.
We should use up most of the fuel.
She used all the time allotted to complete the test.

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May 03, 2023
◉Wear
(uncountable) damage to the appearance and/or strength of an item caused by use over time

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May 03, 2023
◉Use
(transitive) To consume (alcohol, drugs, etc), especially regularly.
He uses cocaine. I have never used drugs.

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May 03, 2023
◉Use
(intransitive) To consume a previously specified substance, especially a drug to which one is addicted.
Richard began experimenting with cocaine last year; now he uses almost every day.

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May 03, 2023
◉Wear
The act of wearing, or the state of being worn; consumption by use; diminution by friction; as, the wear of a garment.

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May 03, 2023
◉Use
To benefit from; to be able to employ or stand.
I could use a drink. My car could use a new coat of paint.

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May 03, 2023
◉Use
To accustom; to habituate. Now common only in participial form. Uses the same pronunciation as the noun; see usage notes.

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May 03, 2023
◉Wear
The result of wearing or use; consumption, diminution, or impairment due to use, friction, or the like; as, the wear of this coat has been good.

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May 03, 2023
◉Wear
To cause to go about, as a vessel, by putting the helm up, instead of alee as in tacking, so that the vessel's bow is turned away from, and her stern is presented to, the wind, and, as she turns still farther, her sails fill on the other side; to veer.

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May 03, 2023
◉Use
To suggest, request, demand or expect that other people use a specific set of gender pronouns when referring to the subject.
I use they/them pronouns.

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May 03, 2023
◉Wear
To carry or bear upon the person; to bear upon one's self, as an article of clothing, decoration, warfare, bondage, etc.; to have appendant to one's body; to have on; as, to wear a coat; to wear a shackle.
What compass will you wear your farthingale?
On her white breast a sparkling cross she wore,Which Jews might kiss, and infidels adore.

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May 03, 2023
◉Use
To habitually do; to be wont to do. (Now chiefly in past-tense forms; see used to.)
I used to get things done.

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May 03, 2023
◉Wear
To have or exhibit an appearance of, as an aspect or manner; to bear; as, she wears a smile on her countenance.
His innocent gestures wearA meaning half divine.

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May 03, 2023
◉Use
(dated) To behave toward; to act with regard to; to treat.
to use an animal cruelly

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May 03, 2023
◉Wear
To use up by carrying or having upon one's self; hence, to consume by use; to waste; to use up; as, to wear clothes rapidly.

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May 03, 2023
◉Wear
To impair, waste, or diminish, by continual attrition, scraping, percussion, on the like; to consume gradually; to cause to lower or disappear; to spend.
That wicked wight his days doth wear.
The waters wear the stones.

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May 03, 2023
◉Use
The act of employing anything, or of applying it to one's service; the state of being so employed or applied; application; employment; conversion to some purpose; as, the use of a pen in writing; his machines are in general use.
Books can never teach the use of books.
This Davy serves you for good uses.
When he framedAll things to man's delightful use.

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May 03, 2023
◉Wear
To cause or make by friction or wasting; as, to wear a channel; to wear a hole.

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May 03, 2023
◉Use
Occasion or need to employ; necessity; as, to have no further use for a book.

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May 03, 2023
◉Wear
To form or shape by, or as by, attrition.
Trials wear us into a liking of what, possibly, in the first essay, displeased us.

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May 03, 2023
◉Use
Yielding of service; advantage derived; capability of being used; usefulness; utility.
God made two great lights, great for their useTo man.
'T is use alone that sanctifies expense.

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May 03, 2023
◉Wear
To endure or suffer use; to last under employment; to bear the consequences of use, as waste, consumption, or attrition; as, a coat wears well or ill; - hence, sometimes applied to character, qualifications, etc.; as, a man wears well as an acquaintance.

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May 03, 2023
◉Use
Continued or repeated practice; customary employment; usage; custom; manner; habit.
Let later age that noble use envy.
How weary, stale, flat and unprofitable,Seem to me all the uses of this world!

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May 03, 2023
◉Wear
To be wasted, consumed, or diminished, by being used; to suffer injury, loss, or extinction by use or time; to decay, or be spent, gradually.
Away, I say; time wears.
Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou and this people that is with thee.
His stock of money began to wear very low.
The family . . . wore out in the earlier part of the century.

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May 03, 2023
◉Use
Common occurrence; ordinary experience.
O Cæsar! these things are beyond all use.

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May 03, 2023
◉Use
The special form of ritual adopted for use in any diocese; as, the Sarum, or Canterbury, use; the Hereford use; the York use; the Roman use; etc.
From henceforth all the whole realm shall have but one use.

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May 03, 2023
◉Use
The premium paid for the possession and employment of borrowed money; interest; usury.
Thou art more obliged to pay duty and tribute, use and principal, to him.

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May 03, 2023
◉Wear
the act of having on your person as a covering or adornment;
she bought it for everyday wear

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May 03, 2023
◉Use
The benefit or profit of lands and tenements. Use imports a trust and confidence reposed in a man for the holding of lands. He to whose use or benefit the trust is intended shall enjoy the profits. An estate is granted and limited to A for the use of B.

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May 03, 2023
◉Use
A stab of iron welded to the side of a forging, as a shaft, near the end, and afterward drawn down, by hammering, so as to lengthen the forging.

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May 03, 2023
◉Use
To make use of; to convert to one's service; to avail one's self of; to employ; to put a purpose; as, to use a plow; to use a chair; to use time; to use flour for food; to use water for irrigation.
Launcelot Gobbo, use your legs.
Some other means I have which may be used.

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May 03, 2023
◉Wear
have in one's aspect; wear an expression of one's attitude or personality;
He always wears a smile

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May 03, 2023
◉Use
To behave toward; to act with regard to; to treat; as, to use a beast cruelly.
How wouldst thou use me now?
Cato has used me ill.

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May 03, 2023
◉Wear
deteriorate through use or stress;
The constant friction wore out the cloth

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May 03, 2023
◉Use
To practice customarily; to make a practice of; as, to use diligence in business.
Use hospitality one to another.

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May 03, 2023
◉Use
To accustom; to habituate; to render familiar by practice; to inure; - employed chiefly in the passive participle; as, men used to cold and hunger; soldiers used to hardships and danger.
I am so used in the fire to blow.
Thou with thy compeers,Used to the yoke, draw'st his triumphant wheels.
I would, my son, that thou wouldst use the powerWhich thy discretion gives thee, to controlAnd manage all.
To study nature will thy time employ:Knowledge and innocence are perfect joy.

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May 03, 2023
◉Use
To be wont or accustomed; to be in the habit or practice; as, he used to ride daily; - now disused in the present tense, perhaps because of the similarity in sound, between "use to," and "used to."
They use to place him that shall be their captain on a stone.
Fears use to be represented in an imaginary.
Thus we use to say, it is the room that smokes, when indeed it is the fire in the room.
Now Moses used to take the tent and to pitch it without the camp.

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May 03, 2023
◉Wear
go to pieces;
The lawn mower finally broke
The gears wore out
The old chair finally fell apart completely

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May 03, 2023
◉Use
To be accustomed to go; to frequent; to inhabit; to dwell; - sometimes followed by of.
He useth every day to a merchant's house.
Ye valleys low, where the mild whispers useOf shades, and wanton winds, and gushing brooks.

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May 03, 2023
◉Wear
exhaust or tire through overuse or great strain or stress;
We wore ourselves out on this hike

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May 03, 2023
◉Use
the act of using;
he warned against the use of narcotic drugs
skilled in the utilization of computers

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May 03, 2023
◉Wear
put clothing on one's body;
What should I wear today?
He put on his best suit for the wedding
The princess donned a long blue dress
The queen assumed the stately robes
He got into his jeans

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May 03, 2023
◉Use
a particular service;
he put his knowledge to good use
patrons have their uses

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May 03, 2023
◉Use
what something is used for;
the function of an auger is to bore holes
ballet is beautiful but what use is it?

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May 03, 2023
◉Use
(economics) the utilization of economic goods to satisfy needs or in manufacturing;
the consumption of energy has increased steadily

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May 03, 2023
◉Use
a pattern of behavior acquired through frequent repetition;
she had a habit twirling the ends of her hair
long use had hardened him to it

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May 03, 2023
◉Use
(law) the exercise of the legal right to enjoy the benefits of owning property;
we were given the use of his boat

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May 03, 2023
◉Use
exerting shrewd or devious influence especially for one's own advantage;
his manipulation of his friends was scandalous

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May 03, 2023
◉Use
put into service; make work or employ (something) for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose;
use your head!
we only use Spanish at home
I can't make use of this tool
Apply a magnetic field here
This thinking was applied to many projects
How do you utilize this tool?
I apply this rule to get good results
use the plastic bags to store the food
He doesn't know how to use a computer

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May 03, 2023
◉Use
seek or achieve an end by using to one's advantage;
She uses her influential friends to get jobs
The president's wife used her good connections

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May 03, 2023
◉Use
use up, consume fully;
The legislature expended its time on school questions

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May 03, 2023
◉Use
avail oneself to;
apply a principle
practice a religion
use care when going down the stairs
use your common sense
practice non-violent resistance

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May 03, 2023
◉Use
habitually do something (use only in the past tense);
She used to call her mother every week but now she calls only occasionally
I used to get sick when I ate in that dining hall
They used to vacation in the Bahamas

Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
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