Basic Details
Word: Usage
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: The way something, especially a word, is normally used; also the amount of something that is used.
Synonyms: use, consumption
How to Spell Usage
Syllables: us - age
Tricky part: The e of use is dropped before age, so useage is wrong. Students also write the end as ege or aje.
Watch out for: useage, usege, usaje
Memory tip: Use loses its e when age joins it, just as store does in storage: us(e) + age = usage.
Usage Examples
Example 1: Our water usage goes up sharply in the summer months.
Example 2: The dictionary gives a note on the correct usage of fewer and less.
Example 3: Data usage on Papa's phone doubled during the cricket season.
Fun Fact
A usage note in a good dictionary tells you how a word is really used, for example whether it is formal, informal, old-fashioned or offensive.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
useage
a) e
b) a
c) g
d) s
Show answer
a) e. Use drops its e before age, so the e after s is the extra letter.
Spell-o-Spell
Read the four words. Choose the meaning of the only correctly spelt word:
1. usage 2. grammer 3. vocabulery 4. pronounciation
a) the way a word is said aloud
b) the rules for putting words together in sentences
c) the way in which words are normally used
d) all the words a person knows or uses
Show answer
c) the way in which words are normally used. Grammar ends in ar, vocabulary has ary, and pronunciation has no o after the first n.
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word usage as it is used in the sentence:
The electricity usage in our building almost doubles when the air conditioners run all day.
a) shortage
b) consumption
c) saving
d) supply
Show answer
b) consumption. Consumption is the amount used up, which is what usage means here.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A dictionary note on common usage tells you ____.
a) when a word was first printed
b) who invented a word
c) how a word is normally used
d) how many letters a word has
Show answer
c) how a word is normally used
2. On a home electricity bill in India, usage is counted in ____.
a) grams
b) metres
c) litres
d) units
Show answer
d) units
