automation
Automation is the use of technology, programs, or robotics to perform tasks without human intervention. It is primarily used to increase efficiency, precision, and speed in manufacturing, data processing, and daily routines.
Examples
3 of 5Smart home automation allows you to control your thermostat and lighting through a mobile app.
Technology in the home lets you manage heat and lights using a phone application.
The report highlights that industrial automation could lead to a significant shift in the global labor market.
The document shows that using machines in factories might change how people work around the world.
I've set up some automation on my phone so it goes into 'Do Not Disturb' mode when I'm at the gym.
I made my phone automatically turn off notifications when I am exercising.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of 'Auto-Motion'—things moving or acting by themselves (auto) without a person needing to push them.
Quick Quiz
The company’s decision to implement ______ in the warehouse resulted in much faster delivery times.
Correct!
The correct answer is: automation
Examples
Smart home automation allows you to control your thermostat and lighting through a mobile app.
everydayTechnology in the home lets you manage heat and lights using a phone application.
The report highlights that industrial automation could lead to a significant shift in the global labor market.
formalThe document shows that using machines in factories might change how people work around the world.
I've set up some automation on my phone so it goes into 'Do Not Disturb' mode when I'm at the gym.
informalI made my phone automatically turn off notifications when I am exercising.
The transition from manual data entry to algorithmic automation has reduced human error by ninety percent.
academicMoving from typing data by hand to using computer rules has stopped many mistakes.
Our company is prioritizing process automation this quarter to streamline our customer support tickets.
businessOur business is focusing on making software handle customer requests more quickly.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
fully automated
operating entirely without human help
automation age
the current era characterized by machine labor
marketing automation
software that manages marketing tasks automatically
Often Confused With
Autonomy refers to the freedom or independence of a person or entity, while automation refers to machines performing tasks.
An automaton is a physical robot or a person who acts mechanically, while automation is the system or process itself.
Usage Notes
Automation is usually used as an uncountable noun when discussing the general concept. It is frequently seen in IELTS and business English when discussing the future of the economy or technology.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use the verb form 'automate' when they mean the concept 'automation'. Ensure you use 'automation' after adjectives like 'increased' or 'industrial'.
Memory Tip
Think of 'Auto-Motion'—things moving or acting by themselves (auto) without a person needing to push them.
Word Origin
Derived from the Greek 'automatos' (self-acting) and the suffix '-ion' indicating a state or process.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In Western labor markets, automation is a sensitive cultural topic often linked to the fear of job losses in manufacturing and retail.
Quick Quiz
The company’s decision to implement ______ in the warehouse resulted in much faster delivery times.
Correct!
The correct answer is: automation
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
to
A1Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.
and
A1A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.
a
A1A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.
that
A1This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.
I
A1The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.
for
A1Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.
not
A1A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.
with
A1A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.
he
A1A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.
you
A1Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.
Comments (0)
Login to CommentStart learning languages for free
Start Learning Free