Learn English – “to use” vs “in using” vs “in usage”

infinitivesword-choice

Italian people have some difficulties in usage of the word "interchange" and the phrase "each other".

When I wrote that sentence some doubts arose to my mind in reference to the highlighted words "in usage".

I excluded that it was possible to write "to use", but I don't know why. Afterwards I thought that I could have written "in using", but, after some thoughts, I excluded this option, too; then I decided to write "in usage", even when some uncertainty remained.

Could anybody enlighten me on this problem? Is there some suggestion that might help incompetent speakers, as I am, in cases like this?

Best Answer

I would write:

Italian people have some difficulties with using the word "interchange" and the phrase "each other".

To have difficulty with something is a common phrase to describe someone who has trouble doing something. I wouldn't say "have difficulties in."

If you wanted to use "usage" instead of using, you could write it this way, though it sounds a bit more formal:

Italian people have some difficulties with the usage of the word "interchange" and the phrase "each other".

You can either have difficulty using something, or have difficulty with the usage of something. I'm sure there are also other acceptable variants of the sentence, but I think this covers the possibilities you've mentioned!

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