The correct spelling is using in all writing contexts. The English language has many different words which seem similar at first glance, but have different meanings. The words “useing” & “using” are a great example of this! In fact, one of these are NOT even considered an English word. In this post, we’ll compare these two common spellings to determine which spelling is correct!
Which Is The Correct Spelling: Useing or Using?
Takeaway: Using is the correct spelling.
For whatever reason, it is very tempting for novice writers and new English speakers to add the letter -e into the word using! To be clear, “useing” is the incorrect spelling and is NOT considered a real English word.
- To be clear, the correct spelling is “using”. While it may seem like a small detail, using proper spelling and grammar can make a big difference in how others perceive you and your writing.
And just like we saw in our post comparing the words Tomatoes vs Tomatos, writers are often tempted to add or remove the letter -E in places they should not! So, next time you find yourself questioning the spelling of a word, take a moment to double-check.
Example Sentences
Here are some example sentences that use the word “using” correctly.
- I’m using the office coffee maker right now you can have it when I’m finished!
- The company is using recycled materials in their packaging.
- Are you using your hair straightener or mine?
- I need to start using a planner to keep track of my appointments and task assignments.
- I got kicked out of class for using my phone during a test!
Just like we saw in our analysis of the word excelente, writers frequently make spelling mistakes. This is why proofreading is so important!
Definition of Using
What does the word “using” really mean?
- I am using my car.
- I am using your phone.
- I am using the hammer.
Using is a verb that we use quite often in our daily lives as a past participle. It means to employ something for a particular purpose or to make use of something. However, just like we saw in our analysis of the words Spelled & Spelt, writers often utilize this word incorrectly!
Synonyms for Using
Instead of repeatedly using the word “using,” you could switch it up with words like “employing,” “utilizing,” or “applying.” Just like we saw in our post about the word Outter, synonyms are a great way to mix up your word choice.
Sentence Examples:
- I am employing the tactics I learned in basic training.
- I am utilizing the tactics I learned in basic training.
- I am applying the tactics I learned in basic training.
Popularity Analysis
By reviewing Google Ngram Viewer it is obvious that the spelling “using” is far more popular in published literature. And this makes sense because “useing” is NOT a word!
However, just like we learned in our post comparing brung vs brought, writers often use improper English words in their writing. There are many colloquial or slang terms that have become very popular over the years!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a list of words that you can use instead of using: utilizing, applying, employing, and harnessing. For example, you could say “I am utilizing when I learned in class to pass this exam.”
Using is a verb that is considered the present participle of the word use. Here is an example of how you would use it in a sentence.”
Yes, using is a verb that means to employ or put into service. For example, “I am currently using the bicycle you can have it when I am finished.”
The adjective of the word use is useful. For example, “The teacher’s lesson plan was very useful for studying for the final exam.”
The Bottom Line
By now, you should have a firm understanding of the difference between using & useing. Useing is NOT a word and is the incorrect spelling! It should not be used in any context within your writing. The word using, means to deploy or utilizing something. It is very common in both formal and informal contexts. If you need more help with grammar rules like this, consider using our grammar lookup tool to make things much easier!