Is Used or Use Correct in This Sentence?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the grammatical correctness of using "used" versus "use" in the sentence "The QT240 IC is used to sense the user’s touch." Participants explore the implications of verb forms in passive and active voice, particularly in the context of technical writing.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that "used" is the correct form in the sentence, while others question the grammatical rules that dictate this choice.
  • One participant breaks down the sentence structure, suggesting that "to sense the user's touch" is a modifying phrase.
  • Another participant explains the difference between active and passive verbs, providing examples to illustrate the distinction.
  • There is a discussion about the preference for active voice in technical writing, with suggestions to rephrase the sentence to avoid passive constructions.
  • Some participants explore the complexity of the word "use," noting its dual role as both a verb and a noun, and discussing its various forms and meanings.
  • A humorous exchange occurs regarding the use of "used" as an adverb, with participants debating its grammatical categorization.
  • Several participants express uncertainty about the grammatical rules and their applications, indicating a lack of consensus on the topic.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that "used" is the correct form in the context provided, but there is no consensus on the underlying grammatical rules or the best practices for technical writing. Multiple competing views on the use of active versus passive voice remain unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about specific grammar rules and the definitions of terms, indicating that the discussion is influenced by personal interpretations and experiences with English grammar.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to individuals looking to improve their understanding of English grammar, particularly in the context of technical writing and verb usage.

david90
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is it right to write

"The QT240 IC is used to sense the user’s touch."

or

"The QT240 IC is use to sense the user’s touch." ?

The subject is the QT240 IC and the verb is "is". What is "use/used"?
 
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"used" is proper. Another word may be better used in its place though.
 
david90 said:
is it right to write

"The QT240 IC is used to sense the user’s touch."

or

"The QT240 IC is use to sense the user’s touch." ?

The subject is the QT240 IC and the verb is "is". What is "use/used"?

I like to break things down. "to sense the user's touch" is a modifying phrase.

"The QT240 IC is used to sense the user’s touch."
becomes
"The QT240 IC is used."
To simplify:
"It is used."
 
Phrak said:
I like to break things down. "to sense the user's touch" is a modifying phrase.

"The QT240 IC is used to sense the user’s touch."
becomes
"The QT240 IC is used."
To simplify:
"It is used."

What grammar rule says that "used" must be used instead of "use"? I'm not arguing that it is wrong btw.
 
"Use" and "uses" are active verbs:

"We use the QT240 IC to sense the user's touch."
"He uses the QT240 IC to sense the user's touch."

"Is used" and "are used" are passive verbs:

"The QT240 IC is used to sense the user’s touch."
"The QT240 and QR238 ICs are used to sense the user's touch."

See for example http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/grammar/actpass.html
and other pages that you can find by doing a Google search for "active and passive verbs".

We also say that the two kinds of sentences are in the "active voice" and the "passive voice".
 
Last edited:
You've really got me going here. After realizing that I didn't answer your question, I've been hunting around for my MLA handbood and can't find it. I must have loaned it out at one time. It's the end all, be all of the strange device we call communication in English.

"Use" and it derivatives is a very complicated word. "Use" is a verb and a noun depending on pronunciation. "Used" is an adverb. "Useless" is an adjective. You certainly picked a good one!
 
Have you ever done any research on Turkish language Family ?
That language has a very well grammar structure...
 
jtbell said:
"Use" and "uses" are active verbs:

"We use the QT240 IC to sense the user's touch."
"He uses the QT240 IC to sense the user's touch."

"Is used" and "are used" are passive verbs:

"The QT240 IC is used to sense the user’s touch."
"The QT240 and QR238 ICs are used to sense the user's touch."

See for example http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/grammar/actpass.html
and other pages that you can find by doing a Google search for "active and passive verbs".

We also say that the two kinds of sentences are in the "active voice" and the "passive voice".

Thank you! When doing technical writing, which voice should be used?
 
Passive one would be better IMHO
 
  • #10
david90 said:
is it right to write

"The QT240 IC is used to sense the user’s touch."

or

"The QT240 IC is use to sense the user’s touch." ?

The subject is the QT240 IC and the verb is "is". What is "use/used"?

In technical writing I think the active voice and present tense is the preferred way to go. Electronics circuits in user terms happens at once in the present tense perceptually.

In your example I would avoid your problem of using the passive voice by restating the sentence more simply as "The QT240 IC senses the user’s touch." Or if the word "senses" is too squishy and not machine like enough for you, maybe use the word "registers".
 
  • #11
happy new year!

Hi david90! :smile:
david90 said:
is it right to write

"The QT240 IC is used to sense the user’s touch."

or

"The QT240 IC is use to sense the user’s touch." ?

The subject is the QT240 IC and the verb is "is". What is "use/used"?

No, the verb is not "is" … the verb is the whole phrase "is used". :wink:

david90 said:
What grammar rule says that "used" must be used instead of "use"? I'm not arguing that it is wrong btw.
English often uses two words for a verb where other languages use only one.

For example, the future tense in English starts with the separate word "will" (or "shall") … "he will use …", and the emphatic present tense and imperfect present and past tenses with "he does use …" and "he is using …" and "he was using …" (and "he had been using …" but I don't know the name of that :redface:)

Also "he has used …" and "he is used …" and "he was used …" and "he had been used …"

The word "used" in these examples is the past participle of the verb "use". It is called that because it appears in the past tense ("he has used"), but it also happens to appear in passive forms of the verb (i don't know why).

"used" must tbe used if the verb is passive. :smile:
Phrak said:
"Use" is a verb and a noun depending on pronunciation. "Used" is an adverb. "Useless" is an adjective.


Nooo … "used" is never an adverb.
 
  • #12
is this a homework problem? :wink: i hated lab reports...
 
  • #13
Proton Soup said:
is this a homework problem? :wink: i hated lab reports...

nah it's not. I have always been bad with grammar and I'm trying to improve it.
 
  • #14


tiny-tim said:

Nooo … "used" is never an adverb.


What about "used car"? And why are we whispering?
 
  • #15


lisab said:
What about "used car"? And why are we whispering?


That's an adjective. The adverb is "usedly" as in: "He was usedly pulling the stuffing out of the penguin." or "The pachinko game fell over usedly." Glad to help.
 
  • #16
more adverbs: usefully, penguinfully.
 
  • #17


Chi Meson said:
That's an adjective. The adverb is "usedly" as in: "He was usedly pulling the stuffing out of the penguin." or "The pachinko game fell over usedly." Glad to help.

ok, thanks...why are you yelling?
 
  • #18
david90 said:
is it right to write

"The QT240 IC is used to sense the user’s touch."

or

"The QT240 IC is use to sense the user’s touch." ?

The subject is the QT240 IC and the verb is "is". What is "use/used"?

"The QT240 IC is used to sense the user’s touch." is looks natural for broken English user.
 
  • #19
shhh …

lisab said:
And why are we whispering?


so as not to wake the penguins :smile:
 
  • #20
Hey, cool. Do a google on "usedly"!
 
  • #21
Chi Meson said:
Hey, cool. Do a google on "usedly"!

We're number 10...genealogy sites featuring the family name "Usedly" takes up most of the top ten. But in the case of a surname I suppose it's pronounce "you-SAID-lee"...just a guess.
 
  • #22
lisab said:
We're number 10...genealogy sites featuring the family name "Usedly" takes up most of the top ten. But in the case of a surname I suppose it's pronounce "you-SAID-lee"...just a guess.

I tried. I went. I feel as if I'm back to where I started. I feel...unusedly unusual.
 

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