What are wrenches primarily used for?

Wrenches are primarily used to apply leverage in order to tighten or loosen fasteners, such as bolts and nuts. They are designed to grip and turn these objects, allowing a user to exert a significant amount of force without needing to directly grasp the fastener. This leverage capability is crucial because many fasteners can be very tight or rusted, making them difficult to turn by hand. The design of a wrench, with its handle and jaws, maximizes the mechanical advantage, enabling more efficient and effective application of force.

Options that reference holding objects in place, drilling holes, or cutting materials are not functions of wrenches. While some tools can perform multiple functions, wrenches specifically specialize in utilizing leverage for fastening tasks.