use: implies availing oneself of sth as a means or instrument to an end: willing to ~ any means to achieve her goals.


employ: sug. using a person or thing that is available BUT idle, inactive or disengaged, by putting to some work or profitable activity: your time might have been better ~ by reading.


utilize: sug. the discovery of a new, profitable, or practical use for sth that might be overlooked or wasted: meat processors that ~ every part of the animal.


apply: stresses bringing into contact or relation with sth. else such that it proves useful or acquires practical value: ~ specific rules to the situation.


use: 使用某物达到目的, 可见很通用, employ: 使用可用但闲置的人或物，使其工作创收, utilize:发现新的实用之处，通常针对容易被忽略浪费, apply应用: 使接触关联，从而证明有用处有价值。


记忆方法：1）首字母UEUA:友谊友爱-->珍贵有用

         2）汉译英：
   
        a）就业;                            

        b）应用物理学;  

        c）利用煤炭;

       答案:
       a) employment  

       b) applied physics

       c) to utilize coal

       3）使用的意思是使有用mean to put into service especially to attain an end or to give a practical value.