british people write "tv programme" instead of "tv program" but I rarely see anyone write "computer programme" instead of "computer program". In fact a quick search of this site shows 521 hits for "computer program" but only 67 for "computer programme".
computer program
- Thread starter kwerk
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that's because a tv show is called a programme while a computer program isnt
http://www.dailywritingtips.com/get-with-the-programme/
http://www.dailywritingtips.com/get-with-the-programme/
Soldato
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Soldato
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That seems a bit arbitrary. What makes computers so special?
Soldato
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Is your google broken?
Program vs. Programme
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.
Nate
Program vs. Programme
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.
Nate
Still doesn't explain WHY it doesn't apply to computers. The word police just arbitrarily decided let's use it for everything except computers?
Soldato
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Yeah I know - Contradicted myself a bit.
Because the Americans, as is their wont to do, Verbed a Noun (for computing) - they spell it Program, so the verb is the American spelling.
Nate
lol
Associate
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Well, more or less, yes - I imagine the reason is very similar to why someone suddenly decided to call those big brown pointy up stick things "trees".
What goes through your head?
It's very normal for two different things to have two seperate names.
Associate
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They are different words, like key and quay.
Programme generally means a timed pre-set event, like a TV or radio show.
A program is a list of instructions which can be carried out by a machine. It can also be used as a verb.
Hence:
You can program a program to display a TV programme
Edit: To clarify, program can be used to describe any set of instructions that can be read and acted upon by any type of machine.
Programme can be any sort of schedule (or scheduled event), so this could be a booklet listing show times, or the show itself.
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