Rachel Andrewrachelandrew
Jun 28, 2024, 6:55 PMA note from a very tired editor, it is almost always more appropriate to write "use" rather than utilize or leverage.
Replies
Kernkern@hol.ogra.phJun 28, 2024, 7:05 PM@rachelandrew@front-end.social also don't bother with "whilst", just say "while"
And the word "simplistic" is rarely needed, just say "simple"
Steve Fenton ➜stevefenton@mastodon.socialJun 30, 2024, 6:27 AM@kern @rachelandrew It might just be me, but "simple" is a thing of beauty while "simplistic" refers to something that fails to achieve its purpose due to a lack of understanding of the problem. Maybe I read something that needed to make a point with this distinction?
Indistinct Metalworkerrhiannonstone@sometimes.when.computerJun 28, 2024, 7:48 PM@rachelandrew Every team I've ever managed has gotten sick of me saying "Don't utilize verbiage, use words" when I review their documents, but I am going to keep saying it until I never see anyone utilizing verbiage again. 😁
- Tormod Halvorsenairwhale@mastodon.socialJun 29, 2024, 7:27 AM
Real question from a non-native speaker:
In what cases would you prefer "utilize" over "use"? I see "utilize" quite a bit in PowerPoint presentations, and have the impression that it isn't an exact synonym to "use".Is there a guideline on when I can safely leave "utilize" alone in a text, or would you recommend a global search-replace?
- Rachel AndrewrachelandrewJun 29, 2024, 12:41 PM
@airwhale @rhiannonstone pretty much never, people use it because they think it sounds grander. I have never had someone object to me changing it, which demonstrates they had no reason to use it. Merriam Webster mentions the most popular use case, to use something in a new way, other than what was intended https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/utilize however it's subtle, I'd just write use, especially in technical or business writing.
- Tormod Halvorsenairwhale@mastodon.socialJun 29, 2024, 1:07 PM
Thanks a lot. I see a lot of future cases where I can use this new fact. My teammates are from all over, so these nuances can easily pass us by totally undetected.
- Indistinct Metalworkerrhiannonstone@sometimes.when.computerJun 29, 2024, 6:25 PM
@airwhale It's common enough in business context that "utilize" will get your point across to most people, it's just technically incorrect. And in addition to what @rachelandrew has said, in some contexts it can make you sound like you're trying to use big words/buzzwords to cover up not having a good idea to share.
Simpler words nearly always get the point across better, especially when your coworkers or customers are people from all over who may not all be native speakers!
- Tormod Halvorsenairwhale@mastodon.socialJun 29, 2024, 6:35 PM
Thanks a lot! I am in the IT Consulting business, and we have a bad habit of overusing buzzwords. Much better to let our brilliant ideas speak clearly for themselves 😄
Jun 29, 2024, 1:06 PM@rhiannonstone @rachelandrew ha! That sounds like the meme that lists writing mistakes to avoid by writing them
- Coach Dew - or Springsundiesel@kolektiva.socialJun 28, 2024, 7:53 PM
@rachelandrew new challenge!
Anytime someone wants to use "leverage" they should try "pry with a bar". If the sentence doesn't still work, substitute with "use".
"I think we need to pry these Excel templates with a bar to get this data formatted the way the boss wants."
- Joan GreyJoanGrey@romancelandia.clubJun 28, 2024, 9:40 PM
'Utilize' and 'leverage' don't actually mean the same thing as 'use'.
For further ranting on this specific topic (utilize/use), please see my husband. 😆
Eric Carlisleericcarlisle@fosstodon.orgJun 28, 2024, 9:41 PM@rachelandrew I had a colleague that suggested solving problems by "leveraging synergies." No specifics offered.
Made we wince. 🙂
JayWhiteCatTamer@mastodon.onlineJun 28, 2024, 11:45 PM@ericcarlisle @rachelandrew That’s when you nod sagely and tell them that’s why you’ve been harmonizing your chakraspaces in preparation.
- Peter Drake, he/him, LFHCfS 🔥peterdrake@qoto.orgJun 28, 2024, 10:35 PM
@rachelandrew Will it be easier to convince people to do this correctly or to convince chatbots?
Next we can do ISO 8601 dates...
Kit BashirUnixbigot@aus.socialJun 28, 2024, 10:56 PM@rachelandrew @whatshisays mark me down for team “never ever” on “leverage”. Those people go in the cell next to “methodology” (mis-)users.
Santiago Piquerasspiqueras@fosstodon.orgJun 29, 2024, 9:28 AM@rachelandrew thank you! I'll make sure to leverage this knowledge in the future 😁
Ron JeffriesRonJeffries@mastodon.socialJun 29, 2024, 11:19 AM@rachelandrew how can I leverage my extensive vocabulary unless I utilize pretentious terminology?
Ian K Tindaleu0421793@pikopublish.ingJun 29, 2024, 10:29 PM@rachelandrew your methodology? Oh, your method