In Standard Croatian the verb “koristiti“ is used in the meaning “to be of use to someone, something” (Vaše bi nam sposobnosti trebale koristiti.; Njezin doprinos koristi čitavom društu. etc.).
On the other hand, the verb “koristiti se“ is used in the meaning “to use something” and is always followed by the instrumental case (koristiti se proizvodom, koristiti se telefonom etc.).
The common mistake in everyday communication is the use of the verb “koristiti” followed by the accusative case (koristiti računalo, koristiti mobitel etc.).
The verb “koristiti” is used with the accusative case only in certain administrative contexts (koristiti slobodne dane, koristiti godišnji odmor etc.).
