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

Question

Which one is correct?
"dictionaries used to" or "the 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 when you want to talk about the general action of using dictionaries without specifying the particular ones.

Examples:

Dictionaries used to look up unfamiliar words.
Dictionaries used to translate texts from one language to another.

Alternatives:

the dictionaries used to
dictionaries that are used to
dictionaries that are utilized to
dictionaries that are employed to
dictionaries that are employed for

This phrase is used when you want to specify the particular dictionaries that are being used for a certain purpose.

Examples:

The dictionaries that are used to define technical terms are very comprehensive.
The dictionaries that are used to translate between English and Spanish are very helpful.

Alternatives:

the dictionaries used to
the dictionaries that are utilized to
the dictionaries that are employed to
the dictionaries that are employed for
the dictionaries that are utilized for

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. "The dictionaries that are used to" is more specific and emphasizes the particular dictionaries being used, while "dictionaries used to" is more general and focuses on the action of using dictionaries.

Last Updated: March 17, 2024