使いようによっては

[nicole0087]

hello, every one,
Is there anyone could tell me what's the meaning of this sentence?
この古新聞も, 使いようによっては, 何かの役に立つのではないかと思いますが.
And , also, why it can be used like this:
使いようによっては
Is it a phrase or something else?

Thank you!

 

[pink dragon]

Hi nicole0087,

My translation is:
I guess even this old newspaper could be of some use depending on how you use it.

使いよう/tsukaiyou = how you use it, the way it is used
(よう/you means ようす/yousu.)

使いよう（使い様）/tsukaiyou is same as 使いかた（使い方）/tsukaikata.

によっては ni yotte wa = depending on (による/ni yoru = depend on)

 

[nicole0087]

Thank you pink dragon.
This problem really puzzle me a lot. Thank you for your detailed explanation.

 

[pink dragon]

You are welcome!

 

[Aoyama]

pink dragon is quite right in his translation.
A "purist" look might add that , since the phrase goes like :何かの役に立つのではないかと, it would then be : wouldn't it (the paper) be of some use, but that nuance is difficult to place in the final english translation ...