What's the difference between usage and use?
I'v consulted the dictionary but I still can't distinguish the uses of one from the other.
Like in these examples:
His usage of that trick...
or
His use of that trick
The proper usage of noun
or
The proper use of noun
thank you!
***** NOT A TEACHER *****
Hello, Yura Reiri:
(1) I found a good explanation in
Random House Webster's Unabridged
Dictionary (2001). For copyright reasons, I am going to use my own
words to tell you what it says.
"Usage" usually refers to "habitual or customary practices or procedures."
The book's example: Some usages of the Anglican Church are similar to
those of the Roman Catholic Church.
My example: When you go to a bookstore, you might ask: "I wish to
buy a book on English usage." That is, a book that tells you how English
is habitually or customarily used. In plain words: what is "good" English
and what is not --based on how most native speakers use the language.
That dictionary explains that "use" refers to using something:
"She put her extra money to good use."
The dictionary points out that some people use "usage" because they
think that it's more impressive. It says that the sentence "Has your
usage of a personal computer made the work any easier?" really should
have "use."
(2) My 1969
The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language
tells us that "use" is better when referring to employment or usefulness:
Use of such drugs is restricted by law.
Synthetic materials have wide use in modern [clothing].
(3) IMHO, I believe that both of your sentences would be better
with the humble word "use." I do not believe that your two sentences
need the fancier word "usage." Remember what
Dos, Don'ts & Maybes
of English Usage (1977) says: The meaning of
usage is customary or
traditional practice.
(4) This is my dialogue. It may or may NOT be correct:
Teacher: I'm sorry, but I cannot pass you to the next level.
James: Why?
Teacher: Your
use of nouns was not correct. (= You do NOT know how to
use nouns.)
James (begins to cry): I'm stupid, aren't I!!!
Teacher: No, no!!! The
usage of nouns is not an easy matter. ( = the
traditional ways in which native speakers use nouns are not easy for
a learner to understand.)
James
