Use vs. Utilize

Happy Friday,

Granted, it’s just a word choice. But getting it wrong is an unforced error that dings your credibility. And unfortunately, technical people do it a lot.

You use a chair to sit in. You utilize a chair to block the door. When something is employed for a purpose other than its intended one, ‘utilize’ fits... technically – but even then, it's unnecessary and distracting. ‘Use’ works perfectly well and keeps the message unambiguous.

Utilize is a word choice with no upside. It doesn't make you sound smarter. But it does prompt readers to mentally pause and wonder: Why did this author just go out of their way to try to sound more intelligent? Do they lack confidence? Are they inflating this simple idea with flowery language to mask a weak argument or mediocre document?

In that rare instance when you're describing a novel use for something and 'utilize' could be used, words like ‘repurposed’ or ‘adapted’ convey the ingenuity of it far better than ‘utilized.’

Many technical writing standards, like IEEE and the Chicago Manual of Style, advocate for plain language. ‘Use’ aligns with these guidelines, ensuring consistency in documentation and presentations. For engineers, it aligns with the ethos of clarity (super important), ensuring the focus remains on the technical content, without the distraction of a dubious word choice.

Punchline: You can’t go wrong sticking with ‘use.’ It’s concise, universally understood, shows confidence in straightforward communication, doesn't raise questions about motives, and respects the audience’s intelligence and time.

Pass it on...

And have a greeaaaat weekend,

Dave

Feedback and blowback are always welcome: dave@goodnewsfriday.com

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