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The English language is filled with pairs of words that sound so alike you might assume they share the same meaning, even if one has an extra syllable tucked in. Some pairs do have identical meanings—for instance, 'disorientated' is just a more common British variation of 'disoriented,' both describing someone who’s lost their way.
Other word pairs, like 'systemic' and 'systematic,' have distinct meanings. Dr. Paul Brians, a retired English professor from Washington State University and an expert in grammar, explains that 'systematic' refers to actions performed according to a specific method or system. If you arrange your M&Ms by color and save the blue ones for last, you’re acting systematically. Brians also notes that 'systematic' is sometimes used when a behavior becomes so regular, it appears to follow a pattern or system. For instance, if you repeatedly forget to lock the door when leaving the house, someone might describe your forgetfulness as systematic.
'Systemic,' on the other hand, refers to something that impacts the whole of a system or takes place within a system. This term is commonly used in science, especially when discussing diseases or substances like pesticides. If a cancer is systemic, it means it’s spread throughout the body. If you’re talking about the cancer’s progression, you might say it spread systematically from one organ to another. As Grammarist highlights, 'systemic' can also refer to something that is deeply embedded in a system, which explains its use in contexts such as social or political issues. For example, when Theodore Roosevelt served as New York City’s Police Commissioner, his primary focus was to eliminate the systemic corruption within the police force.
In brief, 'systematic' refers to how a process is carried out, whereas 'systemic' describes something that occurs within or affects the entire system.
