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Program or Programme?
What Is the Difference between "Program" and "Programme"?
The Quick Answer
- In the US, "program" is used for everything. Americans do not use "programme."
- In the UK, a TV show or a collection of projects is a "programme," but "program" is used as a verb and for anything related to computers.
For American English:
- Use "program" for everything.
For British English:
- Use "program" for anything to do with computers.
- It is a useful program to delete old files.
- I taught myself to program in JavaScript.
- Use "program" when you need a verb.
- I will program you in for 1 o'clock.
- Use "programme" for an itinerary, TV show, radio show, or a collection of work projects.
- There is a funny news programme on the radio later.
- The government programme to remove the waste has three separate projects.

More about "Program" and "Programme"
Use "Program" for Computers
For anything to do with a computer, use "program." For example:- Do you know how to program the computer?
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(Here, "program" is a verb.)
- A sheet of paper and a box of crayons provide a more expressive medium for kids than a computerized paint program.
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(Here, "program" is a noun.)
Use "Program" for Verbs
"Program" can be a verb. "Programme" is never a verb. For example:- Do you know how to program the alarm?
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(Usually, this will have something to do with computers.)
- Please program the team-building exercises before the lunch.
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(It's not always about computers though.)
Brits, Use "Programme" for Itinerary, Show, or Collection of Projects
In the UK, "programme" is used for an itinerary, a show (usually TV or radio), or a collection of work projects. For example:- It looks like an entertaining programme tonight.
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- Family Guy is my "go to" programme after a long day.
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- The person who leaked the secret programme is in hiding.
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(Here, "programme" means a collection of work projects.)
- I'm glad the President finally found an economic development program. I'm just sad that it's only in Baghdad. (Politician John Kerry)
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"Programmed" and "Programming"
In the US and UK, use "programmed" and "programming."Programmed. Use "programmed" for the past tense and past participle of "to program." For example:
- He programmed the system you had programmed.
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(The first "programmed" is the simple past tense. The second is a past participle.)
- Programming the computer, he said that he enjoyed programming.
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(The first "programming" is a present participle. The second is a gerund.)
A Video Summary
Here is a short video summarizing this lesson on "program" and "programme."A Video Summary
Watch a video showing 10 big differences between British English and American English.Ready for the Test?
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