Collocations for employ - verb
1. pay sb to work
ADV.
directly, indirectly
By 1960 the arms industry in America directly employed 3.5 million people.
By 1960 the arms industry in America directly employed 3.5 million people.
PREP.
in
A large part of the workforce is employed in agriculture.
A large part of the workforce is employed in agriculture.
PHRASES
be fully employed
10% of 10-15-year-old girls were fully employed as late as 1911.
10% of 10-15-year-old girls were fully employed as late as 1911.
be gainfully employed
Those not gainfully employed are dependent on their savings.
Those not gainfully employed are dependent on their savings.
be permanently/temporarily employed, be regularly/irregularly employed
2. use
ADV.
commonly, extensively, frequently, often, widely
The safety net is an image commonly employed in everyday life.
The safety net is an image commonly employed in everyday life.
generally, usually | actively, deliberately
teaching that actively employs computers in innovative and fruitful ways
teaching that actively employs computers in innovative and fruitful ways
successfully, usefully
VERB + EMPLOY
can/could
The army has far more junior officers than it can usefully employ.
The army has far more junior officers than it can usefully employ.
3. be employed: be busy doing sth
ADV.
better
You''d be far better employed taking care of your own affairs.
You''d be far better employed taking care of your own affairs.
busily, usefully
PREP.
in
Will and Joe were busily employed in clearing out all the furniture.
Will and Joe were busily employed in clearing out all the furniture.