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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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mht_27

mht_27

Chad

hi everyone

01:23 PM Sep 14 2008 |

mht_27

mht_27

Chad

how can I make friend

01:17 PM Sep 14 2008 |

flyzhougang

China

hi i am from china

10:00 AM Sep 14 2008 |

big shot girl

Saudi Arabia

I like the British English more than the English

 

I wish to learn it more :)

 

 

thanx for that useful lesson..

10:45 PM Aug 25 2008 |

Kelvin Chan

Germany

Thank for your tip

04:48 AM Aug 22 2008 |

renemex

renemex

Mexico

Hi Ria, If you want "to be" a good english speaker, you must "to be" a proficient student (just a pair of examples…)

02:35 PM Aug 21 2008 |

collage girl

Oman

thank u 4 the lesson

c ya agine

06:39 AM Aug 21 2008 |

knight2888

Viet Nam

good

12:59 PM Aug 20 2008 |

RIA23

India

hey i want to ask u that when we use 'to be' in speaking

12:20 PM Aug 18 2008 |

anaan

anaan

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

very useful , thnx

08:32 AM Aug 17 2008 |

 ninashih

ninashih

Taiwan

thanks renemex :)  

 You're right!  No matter which english you speak, if the ppl can understand you, then you don't have to change the way you speak… I got it! Thanks!

12:43 AM Aug 12 2008 |

renemex

renemex

Mexico

Hi Nina!

I think, you must to speak in the way you prefer, i mean, if you are talking with an aussie, or an american, or a british, not for that you must to change the way you are speaking, the people will understand you anyway, we live in a global age, just look at this web site, i´m mexican, how many mexicans you know?

03:26 PM Aug 11 2008 |

 ninashih

ninashih

Taiwan

If I say a sentence which conbine both British and American English, would it sounds weird?

Coz sometimes I'm not sure which english I speak….

12:43 PM Aug 11 2008 |

P_Sabina

P_Sabina

Azerbaijan

Thanks a lot….

05:39 PM Aug 09 2008 |

renemex

renemex

Mexico

Is usefull to know the subtle differences between american and british English, so we can recognize the people for they accent and for the way they write…

Thanks Ebaby!

11:33 PM Aug 08 2008 |

optimum

Turkey

   it was good subject

thanks a lot for you

03:44 PM Aug 03 2008 |

dickndnick

Canada

IT,S NICE

 

08:17 PM Jul 30 2008 |

nhn

nhn

Turkey

its a useful information thanks…

11:04 AM Jul 30 2008 |

pink angel

pink angel

Saudi Arabia

thank you sister for these useful information

 

i have suffered alot from these when i was in the collage

 

and i have suffered from all the american and british different in language

10:34 AM Jul 29 2008 |

russian_girl_kate

Russian Federation

oh ..  nice lesson. i  can't get rid of this mistake i often make =((  thx

08:23 AM Jul 27 2008 |

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