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Program or Programme?

Program or Programme?

Date: Apr 14 2008

Topic: British English

Author: rhyme_reason

Lesson

The Noun: Program or Programme?

The basic difference is between different languages:

  • American English always uses program
  • British English uses programme unless referring to computers
  • Australian English recommends program for official usage, but programme is still in common use.

The word “program” was predominant in the UK until the 19th century, when the spelling “programme” became more common — largely as a result of influence from French, which has the same word “programme”.

So, if you’re writing in British English (either as part of an examination, if you’re studying English, or for a British publication), here’s some examples of how to use programme and program correctly:

  • We’re still drawing up the programme for the concert.
  • This computer program won’t run on my PC.
  • I missed my favourite television programme last night.

The Verb: To Program, Programmed, Programming

The word program is also a verb, as in “I’ll program the computer today.” In this case, both American and British English use “to program”.

These forms are also valid in American English:

  • programed
  • programing

But the Oxford English Dictionary recommends the double-m instead, which is in far more widespread usage:

  • programmed
  • programming

If in doubt, and writing for a publication, check whether or not they have a style guide or a rule on which form of the verb to use. When you’re writing for yourself, just make sure you’re consistent.

Comments

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husam_28

husam_28

Saudi Arabia

it is easier to write program

i like that

09:30 PM Mar 04 2011 |

Annson

Annson

China

I do not know whether knowledge is too shallow, I do not really understand it

11:12 AM Jun 07 2010 |

Ernfei

Ernfei

China

yes  I  love  American  English  very much/

 I hope you help me

05:05 AM Oct 20 2009 |

salehahmed99

Syrian Arab Republic

very good idea 2 compare between defferent words and define the usage in spoken langauge thank u so much and so forth = keep always

08:29 PM Nov 12 2008 |

husam_28

husam_28

Saudi Arabia

so perfect lesson

06:50 PM Nov 12 2008 |

amany7

amany7

Saudi Arabia

nice lesson thanks aloooooooot :)

05:19 PM Nov 12 2008 |

JesseLover

JesseLover

Hong Kong

great!

11:23 AM Oct 31 2008 |

CaT GiRl

CaT GiRl

Saudi Arabia

thanx

an important topic

 

08:25 PM Oct 30 2008 |

Dephanie

China

Now, it is clear to me.

06:58 AM Oct 29 2008 |

Natyl

Natyl

Venezuela

thank. for information :)

01:37 AM Oct 29 2008 |

shmily400

China

   what a beautiful horse.

02:12 PM Oct 28 2008 |

Marcelolic

Marcelolic

Brazil

Great tip ;)

10:33 AM Oct 28 2008 |

Marcelolic

Marcelolic

Brazil

Interesting…I'm going to provide attention ;)

10:33 AM Oct 28 2008 |

OmaR

Saudi Arabia

Thank u

I noticed that langauages sometimes have no fixed rules to expain why we use a certain word I find many rules exceptions in English.

thank u again

10:27 PM Oct 27 2008 |

Ammori

Ammori

Yemen

Thanks a lot. Now I can avoid such a mistake.

07:58 AM Oct 25 2008 |

CallMeFelix

Taiwan

although I'm not really understand its difference, but whether I can say that program is relate to computer and programme is relate to show? However, my teacher always teach me that television show is program.

01:36 AM Oct 25 2008 |

CallMeFelix

Taiwan

I like it, thank you!

01:21 AM Oct 25 2008 |

handwriter

handwriter

Norway

My daily program is to write programs of daily programs for political programs such as daily and weekly business fundraising programs, personal programs, etc., programming them according to mandated programs of the day.  I am also programmed to program out computer programs and daily office programs.  I have also been programmed to “deprogram” this boring program.

04:40 PM Oct 17 2008 |

talitom

Palestinian Territory, Occupied

dear

 im an english   language supervisor  i'll be pleased to help anyone who needs help  whether mail or femal 

here is my msn 

04:46 PM Oct 12 2008 |

Retaj

Retaj

Saudi Arabia

THX
i always have problems with such matters,the difference between the american and the british
THX again

07:04 AM Oct 12 2008 |

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