Program past tense

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Meaning of program

to input instructions into a computer or device to make it perform specific tasks.

Infinitive

Word: program /ˈproʊɡræm/
Examples:
  • 1. She always programs her coffee maker the night before to have her coffee ready when she wakes up.
  • 2. Our teacher programs a new lesson for us every day.
  • 3. The company programs its robots to perform simple tasks without human intervention.

Past Simple

Word: programmed /ˈprəʊ.ɡræmd/
Examples:
  • 1. Yesterday, I programmed a new application for our project.
  • 2. She programmed the DVR to record her favorite show last week.
  • 3. They programmed the robot to perform simple tasks the day before the exhibition.

Past Participle

Word: programmed /ˈprəʊɡræmd/
Examples:
  • 1. After weeks of coding, the software engineers had programmed the new application to perform complex tasks with efficiency and precision.
  • 2. By the time of the presentation, they had programmed the robot to execute a series of intricate movements flawlessly, impressing the audience with its capabilities.
  • 3. Despite encountering numerous obstacles, the team had programmed the autonomous vehicle to navigate through the challenging terrain without any errors.

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Bare infinitive

  1. To describe habitual actions or routines involving inputting instructions into a computer or device.
    Example. She programs every day to improve her coding skills.
    Example. This software allows users to program complex functions easily.
    Example. To solve that problem, you need to program the algorithm carefully.
  2. To state facts or general truths about the process of programming.
    Example. She programs every day to improve her coding skills.
    Example. This software allows users to program complex functions easily.
    Example. To solve that problem, you need to program the algorithm carefully.
  3. To give instructions or advice related to the act of creating computer programs.
    Example. She programs every day to improve her coding skills.
    Example. This software allows users to program complex functions easily.
    Example. To solve that problem, you need to program the algorithm carefully.

Past Simple

  1. To talk about a specific instance in the past when someone input instructions into a computer or device.
    Example. He programmed the website for his business last month.
    Example. They programmed the entire software suite in just six months.
    Example. I programmed my first game when I was a teenager.
  2. To describe a series of programming activities that took place in the past.
    Example. He programmed the website for his business last month.
    Example. They programmed the entire software suite in just six months.
    Example. I programmed my first game when I was a teenager.
  3. To express a past action of programming that is complete.
    Example. He programmed the website for his business last month.
    Example. They programmed the entire software suite in just six months.
    Example. I programmed my first game when I was a teenager.

Past Participle

  1. Perfect tenses - To talk about actions of programming that have happened, with relevance to the present moment or completed at an unspecified time in the past.
    Example. The system was programmed to alert the user in case of an unauthorized access attempt.
  2. Example (Present Perfect). She has programmed several award-winning applications.
    Example. The system was programmed to alert the user in case of an unauthorized access attempt.
  3. Example (Past Perfect). By the time the competition began, the team had already programmed a prototype.
    Example. The system was programmed to alert the user in case of an unauthorized access attempt.
  4. Passive voice - To describe situations where the focus is on a computer or device being programmed, rather than who performed the programming.
    Example. The system was programmed to alert the user in case of an unauthorized access attempt.

Common mistakes

— 01

Confusing Spellings

One common mistake involves the difference in spelling between British and American English. In American English, the past simple and past participle of 'program' is 'programmed.' However, in British English, while 'programmed' is also correct and widely used, the word 'program' when referring to a computer context is often kept in its base form or can follow the same double 'm' rule, depending on style guides. This can lead to inconsistencies in usage if the writer is not aware of the audience's preference or mixes both forms in their writing.

— 02

Misusing Base Form

Another mistake occurs when the base form of the word, 'program,' is mistakenly used in place of its past simple or past participle form, 'programmed.' For example, saying 'Yesterday, I program the DVR to record my favorite show' instead of the correct form, 'Yesterday, I programmed the DVR to record my favorite show.' This mistake can lead to confusion regarding the timing of the action, as the base form does not convey that the action happened in the past.

— 03

Omitting -ed

A third common error is forgetting to add the 'ed' ending to 'programmed' when it is used in the past participle form, particularly in passive voice constructions or perfect tenses. For instance, incorrectly saying 'The software was program to update automatically' instead of 'The software was programmed to update automatically,' or 'I have program all the features you requested' instead of the correct 'I have programmed all the features you requested.' This mistake can obscure the clarity and grammatical correctness of the sentence, making it difficult for readers to understand the intended meaning.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the past simple form of 'program'?

The past simple form of 'program' is 'programmed.' It is used to describe an action that was completed at a specific time in the past. For example, 'Yesterday, I programmed a new app for our project.'

What is the past participle form of 'program'?

The past participle form of 'program' is also 'programmed.' This form is used in perfect tenses to describe actions that have an impact on the present or were completed at an unspecified time in the past. For example, in the present perfect tense, you might say, 'I have programmed several applications this year.'

How do you use 'programmed' in a sentence to indicate a past action?

To indicate a past action using 'programmed,' you would typically use it with a form of the verb 'to be' in the passive voice or with a form of the verb 'to have' in active voice constructions. For example. Passive voice. 'The computer was programmed to shut down at midnight.' Active voice. 'We programmed the computer to shut down at midnight.'

Can 'programmed' be used to describe a habitual action in the past?

Yes, 'programmed' can be used to describe a habitual action in the past when used with used to or would. However, it's more common to simply use 'program' in the simple present tense to describe the habit and add a past time indicator. For example. 'I used to program in Java during my college years.' 'We would program our own video games when we were kids.'