after use/using/usage

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Ricky06

#196152 Mon, 13 Feb 06 03:35 AM

I'd like to know which of the following is/are correct:

1. Please return it after use.
2. Please return it after using.
3. Please return it after usage.

Thanks.

Ricky

Ricky06

Joined on Tue, Feb 7 2006

Junior Member (53)

Clive

#196173 Mon, 13 Feb 06 05:33 AM

Hi,

1. Please return it after use.
2. Please return it after using.
3. Please return it after usage.

Say it as in #1, in which 'use' is a noun'.

For #2, you'd have to say Please return it after using it, which is rather repetitive, although this is how we normally say it in everyday speech.

In #3, 'usage' is not an appropriate noun, 'use' is better.

Best wishes, Clive

Clive

Joined on Thu, Oct 28 2004

Canada

Veteran Member (22,146)

El tango argentino es un pensamiento triste que se puede bailar (The tango argentino is a sad thought which can be danced) Enrique Santos Discépolo

Nouns

Anonymous

#196291 Mon, 13 Feb 06 12:51 PM

Hi,

For 1 and 3, would they be any different in meaning if I add "the" after "after"?

1. Please return it after the use.

3. Please return it after the usage.

I understood that you prefer #!, better than #3.

Anonymous

Ryanz0r

#196459 Mon, 13 Feb 06 10:24 PM

Clive is right, though curiously enough I'd say "after the usage" would be the favourable of your latter options. However, I would remove "after" and simply use "after use."

Ryanz0r

Joined on Wed, Feb 8 2006

Torquay, England

New Member (19)

Me have the grammar bad!

Clive

#196563 Tue, 14 Feb 06 05:01 AM

Hi guys,

1. Please return it after the use.

3. Please return it after the usage.

I see the intent here as a general statement so it sounds odd to use the definite article. I would certainly say it should be omitted. In a more specific context, I'd say somehting like ' Please return it after you use it'.

Of the two quoted options above, I prefer 'use' rather than 'usage' here. The former refers to the using of something, whereas the latter deals with the action of using something.

Best wishes, Clive

Clive