The original question was...
Hello,
Can somebody please explain to me what the difference between benutzen and verwenden is? Thanks!
This was likely asked by an English speaker who, like me, was trying to improve their proficiency in your beautiful but complicated language.
It's a rarity to receive answers that are as simple and as concise as the question asked. After 38 responses, I'm frustrated that I still have no clear solution to my own dilemma:
Is there a difference if I say...
"Verwende ich diese Floskel richtig in meinem Satz?
..or:
"Benutze ich diese Floskel richtig in meinem Satz?
..or are the two verbs fairly interchangeable in this example? Do both sound auf unauffällige Weise korrekt?
I have an inkling that verwenden might sound slightly more 'scientific', 'exact', 'deliberate' or 'elevated' than benutzen.
Can someone tell me if my impression is right or not?
Or is the difference between the two negligible in everyday speech?
Thank you in advance!