- Do you ever wonder if you should say “a series of events” or “a series in events”?
- Have you struggled to choose the right verb to describe starting or finishing a TV show, like “begin a series” or “launch a series”?
- Are you unsure whether “series” is singular or plural, and how that affects the verb you use with it?
Understanding collocations is a cornerstone of English fluency, moving you beyond simply knowing individual words to speaking and writing naturally. Collocations are words that frequently go together, and mastering them for a word like ‘series’ will significantly enhance your communication skills, making your English sound more authentic and confident to native speakers.
Essential Collocations using SERIES as a Noun
The word “series” is almost exclusively used as a noun in modern English, referring to a sequence or succession of related things, events, or programs. Let’s explore its most common and useful collocations.
Describing the Type or Nature of a Series
These collocations use adjectives or nouns to specify what kind of series you are talking about.
- a new series: A recently released or started sequence of something.
Example: “Have you seen the new series on Netflix about ancient civilizations?” - a popular series: A series that many people enjoy or follow.
Example: “The author’s popular series of fantasy novels has sold millions worldwide.” - a limited series / a miniseries: A television or radio series with a predetermined, short number of episodes. (Often used interchangeably for TV).
Example: “That true-crime story was adapted into a compelling limited series.” - a documentary series: A series of non-fiction films or programs.
Example: “The BBC produced an excellent documentary series on the natural world.” - a drama series: A television or radio series featuring dramatic fictional stories.
Example: “She’s a big fan of historical drama series, especially those set in the Victorian era.” - an ongoing series: A series that is still being produced or released.
Example: “The comic book is an ongoing series with new issues published monthly.” - a captivating series / a compelling series: A series that holds one’s attention strongly.
Example: “The professor delivered a captivating series of lectures on quantum physics.”
Verbs Associated with Creating, Managing, or Watching a Series
These verbs describe actions related to initiating, continuing, or consuming a series.
- start a series / launch a series: To begin a new sequence or set of something.
Example: “The network will launch a new series next fall.” - produce a series: To create and manage the making of a series (especially for TV/film).
Example: “The studio plans to produce a series of superhero movies.” - develop a series: To plan and prepare a series before production.
Example: “They are currently working to develop a series of educational apps.” - air a series / broadcast a series: To show a television or radio series to the public.
Example: “The channel will air the final series episode next week.” - publish a series: To make a series of books, articles, or reports available to the public.
Example: “The university press will publish a series of academic papers.” - binge-watch a series: To watch multiple episodes of a television series in rapid succession. (Informal, common in US/UK English).
Example: “I spent all weekend binge-watching a new series about time travel.” - conclude a series / finish a series: To bring a series to an end.
Example: “The author announced plans to conclude the series with a tenth book.”
Series in the Context of Events or Sequences
These collocations use “series” to refer to a succession of related incidents, items, or actions, often followed by the preposition “of”.
- a series of events: A sequence of happenings.
Example: “A strange series of events led to the discovery.” - a series of lectures / workshops / seminars: A set of educational talks or practical sessions.
Example: “The museum is hosting a series of lectures on ancient Roman history.” - a series of questions: A set of inquiries.
Example: “The interviewer asked a series of questions about my experience.” - a series of unfortunate events: A sequence of bad luck or mishaps. (Also a famous book/movie title).
Example: “It felt like a series of unfortunate events ruined our holiday.” - a series of meetings: A sequence of scheduled discussions.
Example: “We had a series of meetings with potential investors.” - a whole series of: Emphasizes a large or complete set.
Example: “She’s dealing with a whole series of problems at work.”
Master Summary Table: Essential SERIES Collocations
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| a new series | Adjective + Noun | A recently released show/set |
| a popular series | Adjective + Noun | A widely liked show/set |
| limited series | Adjective + Noun | A short, predetermined TV show |
| start a series | Verb + Noun | To begin a new show/set |
| launch a series | Verb + Noun | To introduce a new show/set |
| produce a series | Verb + Noun | To create a show/set |
| air a series | Verb + Noun | To broadcast a TV/radio show |
| publish a series | Verb + Noun | To release a set of books/articles |
| binge-watch a series | Verb + Noun | To watch many episodes consecutively |
| a series of events | Noun phrase | A sequence of happenings |
| a series of lectures | Noun phrase | A set of educational talks |
| a series of questions | Noun phrase | A set of inquiries |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| I like the show’s sequence. | I like the series. / I like the TV series. |
| They made a new sequence of programs. | They produced a new series of programs. |
| I finished my book’s series. | I finished the book series. / I finished reading the series. |
| A series in challenges appeared. | A series of challenges appeared. |
| The channel aired a drama sequence. | The channel aired a drama series. |
| This is a very good series. (When referring to only one episode) | This is a very good episode. / This is a very good show. |
“After a busy week, Sarah decided to binge-watch a new series about historical mysteries. It was a truly captivating series, making it hard to stop watching. The previous night, the local museum had launched a series of evening lectures, and she attended the first one, which was part of a larger documentary series tie-in. She found herself asking the speaker a series of questions about forgotten artifacts. She felt so motivated that she planned to attend the entire series of workshops they were offering later that month, hoping to develop her own research skills.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Series Collocations
Is “series” singular or plural?
The word “series” can be both singular and plural. In American English, it is often treated as singular when referring to a single set or collection (e.g., “The new series is fantastic”). However, it can also refer to multiple sets, in which case it remains “series” but takes a plural verb (e.g., “Two different series are airing tonight”). When referring to a single TV show or book collection, it’s typically singular.
What prepositions are commonly used with “series”?
The most common preposition used with “series” is “of,” especially when referring to a sequence of items or events (e.g., “a series of events,” “a series of unfortunate incidents”). You might also encounter “in a series” when discussing placement within a sequence (e.g., “This is the third book in a series“).
What’s the difference between “series” and “sequence”?
While often similar, “series” implies a group of related things or events, often with a common theme or purpose (like a TV series or a series of lectures). “Sequence” typically refers more to the order in which things happen or are arranged (e.g., “the sequence of numbers,” “a sequence of movements”). A series usually has a sequence, but not every sequence is considered a series in common usage.
Can “series” refer specifically to TV shows?
Absolutely! This is one of the most common uses of “series” in modern English. When someone says “Did you watch the latest series?” they almost always mean a television or streaming show. You’ll hear phrases like “TV series,” “drama series,” “documentary series,” or simply “a new series” to refer to these programs.
How is “miniseries” different from “series”?
A “miniseries” (often synonymous with “limited series” in US English) is a type of television series that has a fixed, usually short, number of episodes (e.g., 2 to 10 episodes) and is designed to tell a complete story within that limited run. A regular “series” (or “ongoing series”) is typically open-ended, meaning it can continue for many seasons and does not have a predetermined end point.
Is it correct to say “two series of books” or “two serieses of books”?
It is correct to say “two series of books.” The word “series” functions as both singular and plural. You do not add “-es” to form the plural. For example, “This is one series, and that is another series. Together, they are two series.”
I used to always say 'start a series' for a TV show, but 'begin a series' sounds much more natural now that I read this. Small changes make a big difference!
You're absolutely right, Gustav! 'Start a series' isn't wrong, but 'begin a series' or even 'watch a series' are often more common and natural for consuming content. Paying attention to these subtle differences is key to sounding more fluent. Keep up the excellent work!
In my language, we use one word for both 'series' and 'sequence.' It's hard to remember when to use which in English. This article helps a lot with 'series'!
That's a perfect example of a linguistic difference, Petra! While 'series' and 'sequence' are related, 'series' often implies a more formal or structured set of items (like a TV series, a lecture series), or a rapid succession of similar events ('a series of unfortunate events'). 'Sequence' is more general for any order. We're glad this article clarified the nuances for 'series'!
What a clear and concise explanation! This truly helps to improve natural-sounding English. Thanks, Translateen team!
I'm still a bit confused about 'a series OF events.' Can I ever use 'for' instead of 'of'? Like 'a series for events'? It sounds wrong, but I want to understand why.
That's a common point of confusion, Chloe, and it's great you're asking! 'A series of events' is the fixed collocation here, where 'of' indicates possession or belonging – the events *are part* of the series. 'A series for events' would imply the series is *intended for* events, which changes the meaning entirely and isn't a natural collocation for expressing a sequence. Stick with 'a series of'!
This was a fantastic introduction! I'd love to see another article specifically on verbs that collocate with 'series' in different contexts – like for TV, books, and events.
So 'a new series' is like a brand new show, but 'the latest series' could mean the newest season of an existing show? Is that right?
You've hit on a great distinction, Natalie! While 'a new series' can sometimes mean the latest season of an existing show, you're absolutely right that 'the latest series' (or 'the latest season') more explicitly refers to the newest installment of an ongoing program. 'A new series' often implies a show that has never been aired before. Excellent analysis!
I spend a lot of time watching TV series. What about 'binge-watching a series'? Is 'binge-watch' a strong collocation with 'series'?
What about 'Series A funding' or 'Series B funding' in a business/startup context? Is that the same 'series' and does it follow similar grammar rules?
That's a very advanced and insightful question, Aisha! Yes, 'Series A funding' uses the word 'series' in the sense of a sequence or stage. In this financial context, 'Series A' refers to the first significant round of venture capital funding for a startup. 'Series B,' 'Series C,' etc., follow sequentially. Grammatically, you'd treat 'Series A funding' as a noun phrase, often taking a singular verb: 'Their Series A funding *was* successful.'
Collocations are so tricky because you can't always guess them. You just have to learn them. This article is a great reminder to pay attention to them. Thanks!
Can 'series' ever be used to describe just one thing that happens repeatedly? Like, 'a series of coughs' or 'a series of knocks on the door'? Or does it always imply more substantial, planned items?
Yes, absolutely, Elena! 'A series of coughs' or 'a series of knocks' are perfectly natural and common collocations. In these cases, 'series' refers to a rapid succession of similar, often short, events. It doesn't always have to be planned or substantial; it just implies a sequence of related occurrences. Great observation!