Introduction
A system is a set of connected things that operate together. There are some words that we often use together. These are called collocations. Learn some of the verbs that we often use with the noun ‘system’ with Beth in this video.
Common collocations with ‘system’
design a system
If you design a system, you imagine something where all the small parts can work together. Then you might physically make your system work. You could design a computer system or a filing system in your office.
- I’ve designed a system so that the water company know exactly where and when there is a leak. They’ve just started using it and it’s already improving efficiency.
build/set up a system
If you build or set up a system, you physically create a system. This might involve talking to different people and changing how things work.
- It was so hard setting up the new system. I had to discuss it with lots of different managers and change company policies.
apply/implement a system
If you apply or implement a system, you take a system and use it. For example, maybe your colleague has a different way of organising their emails, and you decide to use that system to organise your own emails too.
- Georgie is really quick at editing, so I applied her system and now I’m quick at editing videos too!
tinker with a system
If you tinker with a system, you change parts of it to make the system better.
- This works quite well, but if you tinker with this part of the system, I think it’ll run more smoothly.
abandon a system
Abandoning a system means not using it anymore because it doesn’t work or isn’t suitable now.
- We abandoned the old system because we don’t use CDs and DVDs these days. We needed a new digtal system.
TRANSCRIPT
Note: This is not a word-for-word transcript.
Beth
Could you design a system that will help you learn verbs used with ‘system’?
A system is a set of connected things that operate together. If you design a system, like a computer system, you create something with multiple parts that work together. You can also build or set up a system.
Sonia set up a system to help her organise her computer files.
Once you have set up your system, you can apply or implement it.
I’ve decided to implement a system that will help me to remember vocabulary. It involves repeating phrases. You could apply this system to your learning too.
If it isn’t working, you could tinker with the system. That means change it. But, if it doesn’t work, you might abandon your system.
Will you set up a system to improve your English?