This is how I feel when someone wants me to write “utilize.”
Has this ever happened to you?
More than once I’ve written copy for a client who was happy with what I produced, but insisted on changing the word use to utilize throughout the document.
Sigh.
Why do people think utilize sounds more effective than the plain three-letter word use? I don’t get it.
Those who work with me know that utilize is a word I refuse to use. When someone sticks in a utilize after I’ve finished writing, the piece is just plain useless to me (pardon the pun) as a sample of my work.
Does that make me a neurotic writer or just a principled one? Some people claim that utilize has a specific purpose, but I’ve never bought this argument.
If you produce written material, how do you feel about utilize?
February 1, 2013 - 2:31 PM
As you know, I am totally with you on this one, Donna! It makes me weep when someone turns a perfectly natural quote or piece of writing into a stiff, cold version with “utilize.”
February 7, 2013 - 5:07 PM
How do I feel about utilize? Gag.