Usage = use?

Question

"these usages" means uses of the past perfect tense, such as "had gone" and "had run away".I again am confused whether I can think that usage and use are the same in meaning so I really need your help.I think that the meaning of uses in 'uses of the past perfect tense' is 'a way in which something is or can be used' like the definition of usage: the way in which words are used in a language, so I can say that they are the same in meaning.The definition of 'use'1] [uncountable, singular] the act of using something; the state of being used2] [countable, uncountable] a purpose for which something is used; a way in which something is or can be usedThe definition of 'usage'[uncountable, countable] the way in which words are used in a languageOr uses in the sentence can also mean 'the act of using something' in "these usages" means uses of the past perfect tense, such as "had gone" and "had run away".What do you native English speakers think? Thank you so much as usual.

Fivejedjon · Accepted Answer

I have never been able to discover a significant enough difference to make me feel a need for 'usage'.

CalifJim · Answer

Hans51"these usages" means uses of the past perfect tense, such as "had gone" and "had run away".

"these usages" doesn't sound right to me if you're going to describe the uses of a tense, i.e., the different ways you can use that tense.

"usage" usually has to do with the way words are used appropriately. In dictionaries you sometimes find "Usage Notes" to tell you how words that are similar in meaning should be used, e.g., when to use "healthy" and when to use "healthful".

Sometimes people say 'usage' when they mean 'use', and vice versa, but it would be very rare for that to impede communication.

CJ

Hans51 · Answer

It doesn't really matter how you personally wish to categorize these uses of that tense.

This is a sentence you wrote in my last question and I think that here the meaning you intended of uses is the same as that of usage, right?

What do you think?

Thank you so much.

And if usage can be used for the meaning of use, which one is correct, you think?

The definition of 'use'
1] [uncountable, singular] the act of using something; the state of being used

2] [countable, uncountable] a way in which something is or can be used

CalifJim · Answer

Hans51It doesn't really matter how you personally wish to categorize these uses of that tense.
This is a sentence you wrote in my last question and I think that here the meaning you intended of uses is the same as that of usage, right?

It is a very fine point, and one person may have a different opinion than another on this matter. I can only say how I see it.

Personally, I very rarely write "usages", the plural form, so when referring to two or more, I write "uses" of a tense, or "uses" of a word, or "uses" of even a hammer or knife or screwdriver. So, because of this, I would almost never say "usages of a tense" or "usages of a hammer"; these sound wrong to me. Therefore, the meaning I intended by writing "uses" was not the same as that of "usage" when I wrote that sentence.

To me, "usage" is a more general, uncountable concept. For example, the correct usage of a hammer would be about how to hold the hammer, how far from the nail the hammer stroke should begin, how hard the hammer must be struck, and so on, whereas one of the uses of a hammer is to pound nails into wood. "usage" centers on how you do something (correctly); "use" centers on what you do.

Hans51And if usage can be used for the meaning of use, which one is correct, you think?

If I have to choose, it's 2, but as you see from what I wrote above, I almost always use "usage" as an uncountable.

CJ

Hans51 · Answer

CalifJimIf I have to choose, it's 2,

I am sorry. I made some mistake.

And if usage can be used for the meaning of use, which one is correct, you think?

-> if use can be used for the meaning of usage, which one is correct, you think?

I wanted to ask about the meaning of use but anyhow your answer is the same as the former, right?

The definition of 'use'
1] [uncountable, singular] the act of using something; the state of being used

2] [countable, uncountable] a way in which something is or can be used

CalifJim · Answer

Hans51if use can be used for the meaning of usage, which one is correct, you think?I wanted to ask about the meaning of use but anyhow your answer is the same as the former, right?

Yes. No matter which way you ask the question, it is definition 2 that shows the common point between the words "use" and "usage".

CJ

Usage = use?

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