Yoong Liat  +  286442 Sat, 28 Oct 06 02:14 AM Can we say 'correct usage' and 'wrong usage' of a word? Or should 'use' be used instead? Yoong Liat Joined on Mon, Sep 4 2006 Veteran Member 6,746

	CalifJim  +  286451 Sat, 28 Oct 06 03:08 AM They are extremely similar.  Most of the time either will do fine.  I usually say correct usage, but sometimes I say correct use just to provide some variety.  use is, of course, applicable to all sorts of situations outside the discussion of language.  usage is less so. CJ CalifJim Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004 California Veteran Member 22,128 "There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche

	Yoong Liat  +  286566 Sat, 28 Oct 06 12:09 PM Thanks, CJ, for your reply.  I was surprised when someone who claims to an English lecturer told me some time ago it's wrong to use 'wrong usage'. But I referred to a dictionary and found 'correct usage' being used with regard to a word. A few days later, I saw in a book on English, 'wrong usage' used, also in regard to a word. Yoong Liat Regards

	Marius Hancu  +  286657 Sat, 28 Oct 06 04:36 PM Usage is the right word here. Use is only tolerated. See 1c: ------- http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/usage Marius Hancu Joined on Wed, Apr 26 2006 Veteran Member 11,673

	Yoong Liat  +  286723 Sat, 28 Oct 06 06:44 PM  Marius Hancu wrote: Usage is the right word here. Use is only tolerated. See 1c: ------- http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/usage Thanks, Marius, for confirming what CJ told me. Yoong Liat