use

/juːz/ (bre, ipa) · /juːz/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈyüz/ (ame, mw) · /juːs/ (bre, ipa) · /juːs/ (ame, ipa)

use — 動詞

1. to operate a tool, machine, or object, or apply a skill or method, in order to g

1.動詞及物A1
釋義

使用

運用工具、技能或方法以達成目的

to operate a tool, machine, or object, or apply a skill or method, in order to get something done.

例句

Élise used her phone to check the bus schedule.

Élise 用手機查公車時刻表。

use + object + to-infinitive

The chef used fresh herbs to add flavour to the soup.

廚師用新鮮的香草為湯增添風味。

同義詞
  • employ

    more formal; often used for skills, methods, or staff rather than physical objects

  • utilize

    suggests putting something to a practical or effective use, often in a technical context

反義詞
  • neglect

    to fail to use something that is available

文法句型

use + object

use + object + to-infinitive

常見錯誤

❌I used a taxi for go to the station.
✅I used a taxi to go to the station.
💡'to-infinitive' follows 'use + object', not 'for + gerund'.

2. to take from a supply and leave less of it, or to consume it entirely, for insta

2.動詞及物B1
釋義

消耗

使用而減少或耗盡某物

to take from a supply and leave less of it, or to consume it entirely, for instance by eating food, burning fuel, or applying materials until none remains.

例句

The old heater uses a lot of electricity every winter month.

那台舊暖氣機每個冬天都會用掉很多電。

use + amount/quantity (electricity, fuel, water)

Adaeze used the last of the flour to bake a loaf of bread.

Adaeze 用掉最後一點麵粉烤了一條麵包。

同義詞
  • consume

    more formal; common in environmental and economic contexts

  • eat up

    informal; limited to food contexts

反義詞
  • save

    to keep something for later rather than using it now

文法句型

use + object

use + up + object

用法筆記

Often used with 'up' to emphasise that something is completely consumed: 'They used up all the flour.'

常見錯誤

❌I used the cake yesterday' (meaning I ate it).
✅I ate the cake yesterday' or 'I used up the cake yesterday.
💡'use' without 'up' for food sounds unnatural unless describing it as an ingredient in cooking.

3. to choose and speak or write down a specific term or type of language in order t

3.動詞及物B1
釋義

用詞

說出或寫下某個詞語或表達方式

to choose and speak or write down a specific term or type of language in order to convey a message.

例句

Shirin used the word 'delighted' in her thank-you note.

Shirin 在她的感謝卡裡使用了 delighted 這個詞。

use + word/phrase + in + context

The instructions use simple language so children can follow them.

說明書用了簡單的語言，讓孩子也能看懂。

同義詞
  • employ

    more formal; common in writing about academic or professional language choices

  • say

    less precise; refers to speaking generally rather than choosing specific terms

文法句型

use + word/phrase/language

use + noun + to-infinitive

常見錯誤

❌She used a wrong word.
✅She used the wrong word.
💡use the definite article when referring to a specific word choice error.

4. to treat someone unfairly for your own benefit, or to take selfish advantage of

4.動詞及物B2
釋義

利用

自私地利用他人或情況以獲利

to treat someone unfairly for your own benefit, or to take selfish advantage of a situation or opportunity.

例句

The landlord used his tenants' fear of eviction to raise the rent.

房東利用房客害怕被驅趕的心理來調漲房租。

use + noun (someone's fear/need) + to-infinitive

Sivan felt that her manager was using her by giving extra work without pay.

Sivan 覺得主管在利用她，給她額外的工作卻不給報酬。

passive continuous: be + being + used

同義詞
  • exploit

    stronger negative connotation; suggests treating someone as a resource or tool

  • take advantage of

    phrasal equivalent; more common in everyday English

反義詞
  • help

    to assist someone without expecting anything in return

文法句型

use + person

use + situation + to-infinitive

use + noun + as + noun

用法筆記

Frequently appears in the passive: 'He felt used by his friends.' The object is typically a person (when exploiting someone) or an abstract noun like 'situation' or 'opportunity'.

常見錯誤

❌ 'She used the opportunity' (neutral sense) when meaning 'She took advantage of the opportunity.' — 'use' with opportunity is neutral; 'take advantage of' adds the nuance of selfish benefit.

5. used to say that someone would like or would benefit from having something, typi

5.動詞及物B2
釋義

需要；想要

表達想要或需要某事物的用法

used to say that someone would like or would benefit from having something, typically expressed in the fixed phrase 'could use'.

例句

After walking for hours under the sun, Lauren could use a cold drink.

在太陽底下走了好幾個小時後，Lauren 真想來杯冷飲。

could use + noun (beneficial thing wanted)

This living room could use a fresh coat of paint on the walls.

這間客廳需要重新粉刷牆壁了。

同義詞
  • need

    stronger emphasis on necessity; 'could use' is softer and more polite

文法句型

could use + noun phrase

用法筆記

Only appears in the pattern 'could use' (or 'could really use'). It does not appear in other tenses: you cannot say 'I use a break' to mean 'I need a break.' Do not confuse with the other senses of 'use' — this is a fixed expression.

常見錯誤

❌I use a coffee right now.
✅I could use a coffee right now.
💡This sense requires the modal 'could'; it is never used in the simple present.

use — 名詞