How to Say "uses" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “uses” is “usa” — use this word when referring to the third-person singular present tense of 'usar' (to use), meaning 'he/she/it/you (formal) uses'..
usa
/oo-sah//ˈu.sa/
Examples
Ella usa el teléfono para trabajar.
She uses the phone to work.
¿Usted usa lentes de contacto?
Do you (formal) use contact lenses?
Mi coche usa gasolina premium.
My car uses premium gas.
Regular -AR Pattern
"Usa" follows the simplest verb pattern in Spanish. Just drop the 'ar' from 'usar' and add 'a' for 'él/ella/usted' in the present tense.
Confusing Tú/Usted forms
Mistake: “Tú usa (when trying to be informal)”
Correction: Tú usas (The 'tú' form needs the 's' at the end; 'usa' is reserved for formal 'usted' or 'él/ella').
utiliza
/oo-tee-LEE-sah//u.tiˈli.sa/
Examples
Mi jefe utiliza la bicicleta todos los días.
My boss uses the bicycle every day.
Ella siempre utiliza el diccionario cuando estudia.
She always uses the dictionary when she studies.
¡Utiliza tu tiempo libre para leer!
Use your free time to read!
Dual Function of 'Utiliza'
This single word serves two main purposes: 1. To state what 'he,' 'she,' 'it,' or the formal 'you' (usted) does now. 2. To give an informal command to 'you' (tú).
Regular Verb Pattern
Since 'utilizar' is a regular '-ar' verb, it follows the most common Spanish conjugation pattern, making it easy to predict other forms like 'utilizamos' (we use).
Using the Subject Pronoun
Mistake: “Él utiliza.”
Correction: Utiliza. (The subject 'él' or 'ella' is usually left out because the verb ending already tells you who is doing the action.)
come
KOH-meh/ˈko.me/
Examples
Ese proyecto come mucho tiempo.
That project consumes a lot of time.
La impresora come mucha tinta.
The printer uses up a lot of ink.
Esta mesa come demasiado espacio.
This table takes up too much space.
Figurative Use Pattern
In this sense, 'come' always takes a non-food item as the thing being consumed (time, energy, battery life, memory space).
Direct vs. Metaphorical Use
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