use for vs use to

Both "use for" and "use to" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Use for" is used to indicate the purpose or intended function of something, while "use to" is used to indicate past habits or actions that were common in the past but not anymore.

Last updated: March 25, 2024 • 1154 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate the purpose or intended function of something.

"use for"

Use "use for" when you want to specify the purpose or intended function of an object, tool, or action.

Examples:

I use this knife for cutting vegetables.
She uses her phone for work.
We can use this room for meetings.
He uses his car for commuting to work.
They use social media for marketing.

Show examples from the web [+]

The username to use for proxy server authentication.
Select additional keys to use for data encryption.
Consequently its use for human consumption should be reviewed.
Honey, we got a use for everything.
Select background color to use for image editor area.
Or at least found a use for them.
Looks like you found a use for your mom's post 9/11 escape raft.
I think we could find some good use for these handcuffs.
That's the fork you were supposed to use for the crab cocktail.
Read the package leaflet before use for directions on reconstitution and dilution.
I have no use for outside-the-box thinking.
This is what they use for the roll call lists.
Bob doesn't have much use for this kind of ceremony.
Honey, we got a use for everything.
Perhaps we have a use for Miss Fisher after all.
Drogo will have no use for dragon eggs in the Night Lands.
I got a blade I can use for skin grafting.
I have a use for everything.
He had no use for her anymore.
Because we have no use for you.

Alternatives:

utilize for
employ for
apply for
utilize in order to
employ in order to

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate past habits or actions that were common in the past but not anymore.

"use to"

Use "use to" when talking about actions or habits that were done regularly in the past but are no longer done.

Examples:

I used to play the piano when I was younger.
She used to live in Paris.
We used to go camping every summer.
He used to work at that company.
They used to be best friends.

Show examples from the web [+]

Password to use to authenticate against proxy server.
Something I can use to get to Stevens.
What instruments will the Commission use to help prevent such tragedies in future? 5.
I thought this one might be of particular use to you.
We avoid any place he could use to terrorize us.
The kind of thing that the military might use to build a better soldier...
There must be something we can use to lower ourselves down.
Metaphors we use to explain our origins.
What use to study, learn...
This will be the needle you use to inject Enbrel.
Something he could use to his advantage.
No use to look elsewhere then.
Like those scarves that celebrities use to frustrate paparazzi.
Stories are what we use to transmit knowledge.
There's this question psychiatrists use to identify sociopaths.
Money lying in the treasury is no use to us.
You're no use to anyone now.
It's an evaluation tool we use to separate applicants.
Jin is of no use to us anymore.
I am enjoying actually being of use to my daughter.

Alternatives:

was accustomed to
were in the habit of
were used to
were accustomed to
had the habit of

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use for vs use to

"use for"

"use to"

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