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?
- 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?
- 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.
- 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)
