Learn English with English, baby!

Join for FREE!

Social_nav_masthead_logged_in
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

Log in to Comment

chilies

Saudi Arabia

thanks

 

02:03 PM Oct 10 2008 |

chilies

Saudi Arabia

thanks

 

02:02 PM Oct 10 2008 |

The-Punisher

Morocco

Thx A Lot For These informations

02:24 PM Oct 08 2008 |

The-Punisher

Morocco

Thx For These Informations Englishbaby is The Best Site

02:24 PM Oct 08 2008 |

moony-girl

Qatar

thanx alot

usefull lesson irally leaned the different between them

05:33 PM Oct 07 2008 |

izah

izah

Malaysia

well, thanks…

there are various words that are differently spelled by American and British, yet it  just rising more confusion to us..the learner…

but.. that's a wonderful challenge, right?

 

02:03 AM Oct 07 2008 |

izah

izah

Malaysia

well, thanks…

there are various words that are differently spelled by American and British, yet it  just rising more confusion to us..the learner…

but.. that's a wonderful challenge, right?

 

02:03 AM Oct 07 2008 |

redking

redking

China

Great. In those day I made mistake the form of words.dut now I understand the different of them.

01:06 AM Oct 07 2008 |

lisbeth chia

Colombia

it is good

09:15 PM Oct 06 2008 |

kukuka

kukuka

Ukraine

Well….it was interesting to know but not very important, imho.

In whole i didn't like the lesson.

08:11 AM Oct 06 2008 |

Rogena

Rogena

Saudi Arabia

nice information. I always use " programme". I thought that " programme" is british word and my expectation is in the right Laughing. But the new info is about when we add ـing or ـed.

Thanks alot ^^

08:28 AM Oct 05 2008 |

The-Punisher

Morocco

yeah that's What i'm searching for this site is very improtant for beginners thx a lot

12:02 AM Oct 05 2008 |

pink panther2

Syrian Arab Republic

THANKS FOR YOUR LESSON

YOU FIXED A PROBLEM THAT I WAS FINDING ON WRITING…..

I AM WAITING YOUR NEXT LESSON

THANKS AGAINWink

05:57 PM Oct 04 2008 |

jeddy

China

good

01:11 AM Oct 03 2008 |

vanilla_leaf

China

why can't words like this be unified in only one form..sometimes it can be very confusing.

05:35 PM Sep 30 2008 |

fave

fave

Albania

It was really helpful for me. I used to use both forms but only now I noticed the differences…thank you

07:29 PM Sep 29 2008 |

samankost

samankost

Greece

program

07:20 PM Sep 23 2008 |

apple150080

China

oh,thank you for the tips,i am a poor english speaker and something about english culture i really want to know.if there is something about this and the same time by learning english culture improve my oral english level.

02:07 AM Sep 23 2008 |

rainben

rainben

China

good!

10:13 AM Sep 21 2008 |

STAR'B

China

you always visit on here.

04:37 PM Sep 16 2008 |

Likes (49):

See all >

Share this lesson:

  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Bebo
  • Share on Myspace
  • Share on Twitter
  • Email this to a friend
  • Share on Sina

Post Ebaby! lessons on your blog:

Ebaby! Cast