When to Use Employ vs Use

As a scientific and medical writer, you want to use the most accurate and clear words to tell the story of your work. In this way, you support the number one principle in writing: make the reader’s job easy.

A common mistake in scientific and medical writing is to use the word employ as a synonym for use. But these words have different meanings.

Use means to put something into action or service. Employ can mean to make use of something. However, this meaning creates an inaccuracy similar to using utilize as a synonym for use. More often, employ means to hire.

The hospital employed the physician.
The investigator employed the research associate.

Remember that you want to use the most accurate words in your writing.

Avoid: Researchers employ polymerase chain reaction to amplify DNA.
Preferred: Researchers use polymerase chain reaction to amplify DNA.

Avoid: We assessed the current methods employed by hospitals to disinfect surfaces.
Preferred: We assessed the current methods used by hospitals to disinfect surfaces.

Although you might think that employ sounds more formal than use, remember that accuracy is more important than formality. For clear writing, use the term employ only when referring to hiring or giving work to someone. Otherwise, use the term use.