Which one is correct?
"dictionaries used to" or "dictionaries that are used to"?

Question

Which one is correct?
"dictionaries used to" or "dictionaries that are used to"?

TextRanch: The best way to perfect your writing.

Discover why 1,062,726 users count on TextRanch to get their English corrected!

One of our experts will correct your English.

100% Human-Powered Editing!

This phrase is used to talk about the action of using dictionaries in the past. It is often followed by a verb to describe what the dictionaries were used for.

Examples:

Dictionaries used to be the main source of information before the internet.
I remember when dictionaries used to help me with my homework.

Alternatives:

dictionaries that were used to
dictionaries once used to

This phrase is used to describe the purpose or function of dictionaries. It is often followed by a verb or noun to explain what the dictionaries are used for.

Examples:

Dictionaries that are used to define words are called dictionaries.
There are specialized dictionaries that are used to translate between languages.

Alternatives:

dictionaries used for
dictionaries designed to be used for

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Dictionaries used to" is used when referring to the past action of using dictionaries, while "dictionaries that are used to" is used when describing the purpose or function of dictionaries.

Last Updated: March 17, 2024

Answer 1

dictionaries used to

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to the past action of using dictionaries.

Learn More [+]

Answer 2

dictionaries that are used to

This phrase is correct and commonly used when describing the purpose or function of dictionaries.

Learn More [+]

Which one is correct? "dictionaries used to" or "dictionaries that are used to"?

dictionaries used to

dictionaries that are used to

Related Comparisons

Which one is correct?
"dictionaries used to" or "dictionaries that are used to"?