Verbs in English

use

use / used / used / using

The verb “use” serves many different purposes. Generally, it’s for an object that helps a person accomplish an objective. 

 

Here are some examples: 

 

Choose “use” for tools and things we hold in our hands: 

  • He’s using a pair of scissors to cut some paper. 
  • Maria uses a knife to chop onions. 
  • Do you know how to use a microscope? 
  • Have you ever used a chainsaw? 
  • A.compass is used to determine direction: north, south, east, or west. 
  • I use a wrench to fix things. 
  • You use tools to fix things. 
  • A wrench can be used to make adjustments on machines. 

 

ingredients for cooking: 

  • You can use butter when making cookies. 
  • If you want to make something healthy, use lots of vegetables. 
  • Tomatoes are used for making tomato sauce. 
  • Mozzarella cheese is used for making pizza. 
  • We use a lot of garlic when we cook. 
  • What are some common ingredients that you use in your cooking? 
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  • We use salt when we cook. 
  • How much sugar does this recipe use. 
  • Bakers use a lot of flour when they bake things. 

 

language and language skills

  • I try to use my knowledge of German when I visit Germany. 
  • People who visit France try to use French when ordering in restaurants. 
  • It’s a good idea to learn how to use verbs properly when you speak English. 
  • Helping verbs are used when forming negative verbs and questions. 
  • Are you using adjectives and adverbs properly when you speak English? 
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  • Many people use English when the are on a computer. 
  • English is used in many different countries.
  • When visiting a foreign country, you should try to use the language spoken by the people. 

 

transportation:  

  • Robert uses the subway to get to work every day. 
  • A person who uses a car for transportation must maintain it. 
  • It’s fun to use a motorcycle to get around town. 
  • You can save a lot of money by using public transportation. 
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  • Using a bike for transportation will save you money. (The word “using” is a gerund in this sentence.) 
  • What do you use to get to work? 

  • The Verb “Use”

 

Directions: Use the verb “use” in the following sentences and questions. Pay attention to helping verbs and the various forms that this verb takes. 

  •  

1. He  _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ a laptop for work every day. (present tense) 

2. Teachers _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ technology to make their lessons easier to understand. (present tense)

3. _ _ _ _ _ _ you ever  _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _  Google Meet for communicating online? (present perfect tense) 

4. She   _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _  too much energy to heat her home. (present continuous tense) 

5. A long time ago, people _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _  animal skins to keep their bodies warm. (past tense) 

6. You _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _  caution when you enter that area. (modal verb: should) 

7. I   _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ a little help with this. (modal verb: could) 

8.  They _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ a lot of water for their lawn. (present perfect continuous tense  

9.  The police _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ excessive force in the arrest.  (past tense – negative)

 

10. Many older people don’t like _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ social media. (infinitive)

 
 

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