automate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "automate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the process of making a system or process operate automatically, often through technology. Example: "We need to automate our data entry process to improve efficiency and reduce errors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Instead, he suggests that another new class of tools will be used alongside automated-testing tools to automate some of the social and cultural aspects of programming such as tracking who has changed what, requests for new features, discussions between programmers in different locations, and so on.Such communication tools might seem far removed from testing and modelling tools.

The Economist

Or rather, where it has made financial sense to automate there has been substantial automation.

The Economist

Yet over time, as best practices are worked out and then codified, it becomes easier to break production down into routine components, then automate those components as technology allows.If, that is, automation makes sense.

The Economist

It lets you create combinations of actions you do on your iOS device, then automate them.

The Guardian - Tech

The Company's mission is to automate the buying and selling of advertising by offering innovative products to connect buyers and sellers globally.

The Guardian

But bypassing the human operator to automate attacks would be, technologically, in the "realm of feasibility", an MBDA spokesman says.Could the "man in the loop" be removed from robotic weapons?

The Economist

Firms such as Narrative Science, in Chicago, which hopes to automate the writing of reports (and which is already used by Forbes, a business magazine, to cover basic financial stories), and Kensho, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, which aims to automate some of the work done by "quants" in the financial industry, have been showered in cash by investors.

The Economist

Once inside a network, his team takes an average of four hours to take control of it.Critics of pentesting say cheap software that automatically scans for vulnerabilities in a firm's systems can automate much of the work pentesters do.

The Economist

These automate attacks and can be configured to deface or crash a website, or even snatch goodies ranging from credit-card details to industrial designs.

The Economist

Spammers stepped up their efforts to automate the solving of CAPTCHAs last year, and in recent months a series of cracks have prompted both Microsoft and Google to tweak the CAPTCHA systems that protect their web-based mail services.

The Economist

But efforts to automate the process are gaining ground.Dr Brenner's method used what is known as a transmission electron microscope.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process improvement initiative, specify which steps you plan to "automate" to clarify scope and goals.

Common error

Avoid using "automate" when you simply mean to make a process easier or more efficient. "Automate" specifically implies using technology to perform tasks automatically, not just making them less complex.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "automate" is as a verb, indicating the action of making a process or system operate automatically. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its use in various contexts. This is also reinforced by the dictionary entry.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The verb "automate" is widely used to describe the process of making something automatic, particularly through the use of technology. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, including news, business, and science. The Economist, The Guardian, and The New York Times are among the authoritative sources that frequently use "automate". While there are several alternatives, such as "mechanize" and "computerize", it's essential to choose the one that best fits the specific context. Remember to use "automate" when you truly mean to make a process automatic, not just simpler or more efficient.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Make automatic

Focuses on the resulting state of being automatic, emphasizing the outcome of the automation process.

Mechanize

Implies the use of machinery to replace human labor, particularly in manufacturing or industrial settings.

Computerize

Specifically refers to the use of computers to control or perform tasks that were previously done manually.

Streamline

Implies simplifying a process to make it more efficient, often through automation.

Systematize

Focuses on organizing and structuring processes in a systematic way, which can include automation.

Robotize

Emphasizes the use of robots in automation, particularly in manufacturing or other physical tasks.

Self-regulate

Highlights the ability of a system to automatically adjust and maintain itself without human intervention.

Autonomize

Focuses on granting systems the ability to operate independently and without human control.

Digitize

Involves converting processes or information into a digital format for automated processing.

Cybernate

Implies controlling a system or process with cybernetic technology, often for automation purposes.

FAQs

How can I use "automate" in a sentence?

You can use "automate" to describe replacing manual processes with automated systems. For example, "We need to "automate the data entry process" to reduce errors."

What are some alternatives to "automate"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "automate" include "computerize", "mechanize", or "streamline".

What is the difference between "automate" and "mechanize"?

"Automate" generally refers to using technology, including computers, to make a process automatic, while "mechanize" often refers specifically to using machinery to replace human labor.

Is it correct to say "fully automate"?

Yes, "fully automate" is correct. It emphasizes the complete replacement of manual steps with automated processes. For example, "The goal is to "fully automate the manufacturing process"."