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One of my writing pet peeves is overuse of the word utilize. I’m of the mind that utilize can almost always be replaced by use.

I did some research (click here for my google results) on the two words to make sure this post wouldn’t be just a crazy rant, and it turns out the subject is a bit sticky. Experts seem to be divided on when it’s ok to use which word. Some fall on my side of the argument, saying it’s never ok. Some are more flexible, arguing that the words have been used to mean the same thing for so long that they now, in fact, do.

Agreement on correct usage may be elusive, but I it doesn’t really matter. What does matter is the effect word choice has on your reader. And that provides compelling reasons to avoid utilize.

Here’s why I avoid it:

1. Because Communication is Hard Enough The best writers, speakers and communicators know that they are limited by language. They understand that even the best written pieces can be misunderstood, misquoted, and misapplied. So why make things less clear with ‘fancy’ words? Use the simplest words possible to get your point across.

2. Because I Want My Readers to Listen I’ve never met someone who says “utilize” in casual conversation. People who do use it in speech tend to sound rehearsed, and that sets off my B.S. alarm. I switch from active listening to waiting for the inevitable sales pitch. I stop caring about the point, and start looking for ways to end the conversation.

3. Because Writing Isn’t About Words It’s about ideas. We don’t write simply to pass words to each other. We write to communicate ideas. Writing should be transparent, used to create a window into an idea. The clearer we can make that window, the more effective our writing will be.

Want to read some other opinions? Here’s a layman’s conversation about the two words, and here’s one person’s take on what the actual dictionary definition (the denotation for anyone who read last week’s post) is.