MAKE USE OF

Human Communication

"Wise individuals make use of opportunities to learn, growing with each experience and enriching their lives through acquired knowledge."

📖 Definition

To 'make use of' means to utilize or employ something for a specific purpose, often making practical or beneficial use of resources, opportunities, or skills.

Examples in context

📖 Definition

To 'make use of' means to utilize or employ something for a specific purpose, often making practical or beneficial use of resources, opportunities, or skills.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable
No
'Make use of' is not separable and should remain together as a fixed phrase.
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Neutral
This phrasal verb is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.
Transitive
Yes
This phrasal verb is transitive and requires a direct object.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense Form Example
Present Simple make use of She makes use of every opportunity to improve her skills.
Past Simple made use of He made use of his downtime to learn a new language.
Present Continuous making use of They are making use of recycled materials in their project.
Present Perfect have made use of We have made use of all available resources to complete the project.

💡 When to Use

Enhancing skills
Use it when discussing the employment of tools or methods to improve abilities or acquire new knowledge effectively.
Example: "She makes use of online courses to enhance her skills."
Resource management
Employ it when describing how one utilizes available resources efficiently for a specific purpose or benefit.
Example: "The project manager made use of all resources to meet the deadline."
Problem-solving
Apply it when referring to using strategies to resolve issues or address challenges effectively in various contexts.
Example: "He made use of his network to solve the logistical challenges."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect form usage
❌ Wrong: They makes use of old techniques.
✅ Correct: They make use of old techniques.
💡 Tip: Ensure subject-verb agreement is correct.
Misplacement
❌ Wrong: To make the most of, she use opportunities.
✅ Correct: She makes use of opportunities to make the most of them.
💡 Tip: Keep the phrase together for clarity.
Omission
❌ Wrong: He made us of his skills.
✅ Correct: He made use of his skills.
💡 Tip: Remember to include the complete phrase.
Practice

MAKE USE OF - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

  1. Listen and repeat the audio as many times as needed to improve your pronunciation
  2. Use the audio as a dictation exercise, trying to write what you hear and understand
  3. Create a new sentence following the structure of the example sentences

Examples in Context

  • 1
    Listen to example

    The team made use of data analytics to improve their marketing strategy.

    Words In The Wind
  • 2
    Listen to example

    You can make use of public libraries to access free resources and information.

    Words In The Wind
  • 3
    Listen to example

    Farmers have made use of advanced tools to increase crop yields efficiently.

    Words In The Wind

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

utilize employ

Antonyms

ignore

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"Scientists often ___ experiments to test their theories."

creates
make use of
ignores
removes

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Make Use Of

What is the origin of make use of?

+
The phrase 'make use of' dates back to early modern English, rooted in the idea of 'making' something happen by utilizing it effectively. It encapsulates a pragmatic approach embedded in both language and culture.

Can make use of be used in formal and informal contexts?

+
'Make use of' is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Its neutrality and simplicity make it appropriate for professional, academic, and casual conversations.

What is the difference between make use of and utilize?

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'Make use of' is broader and can imply both practical and casual usage, while 'utilize' often suggests a more systematic or specialized employment of resources.

Related Phrasal Verbs

Explore more phrasal verbs in our dictionary:

draw onrely onbuild oncapitalize ontake advantage of
Browse All Words In The Wind Phrasal Verbs
Human Communication Phrasal Verbs - WeeklyCross
Alessandra Nóbrega
About the Author

Alessandra Nóbrega

History teacher who fell in love with English! This passion led me to specialize in languages and work on bilingual education projects. With 37 years in education, I believe learning should be meaningful – not just memorization.

Learn more about my journey



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