'puter

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "'puter" is informal and not typically used in formal written English.
It can be used in casual or colloquial contexts, often in spoken language or informal writing. Example: "I just got a new 'puter, and I'm excited to try out the latest games on it."

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

How will BankBoston's com puter credit the interest due?

The Economist

"A similar embedding of assumptions runs throughout our com puter systems," says Mr Iacino.In this section Can EMU be left to stew?

The Economist

He was named Kim-puter by some of his friends.

Independent

"My grandmother, a com-puter whiz, is hooked up to America Online and I have been scooting the information superhighway," he wrote.

The New Yorker

"My job is to know at all times what's happening in every game," Burke said in a recent interview in the Burke-puter.

The New York Times - Sports

Back at the Burke-puter, Burke notices something that excites him in the Jaguars-Rams game: the broadcaster is showing a picture of a player over the words "Player Name".

The New York Times - Sports

He works from home here, in what his colleagues call the "Burke-puter," for its seamless integration of man and machine.

The New York Times - Sports

Sarah Lyall met Tim Burke, their most famed creator, for this piece in the New York Times and was more than a little impressed: "He works from home here, in what his colleagues call the 'Burke-puter', for its seamless integration of man and machine.

The Guardian - Sport

The last time he tried to sign on, a couple of years ago, he proffered his national insurance card and was told he had to have three different forms of ID, so he drifted off and could not think how, living on a park bench, he could get any more ID and he could not understand why they needed it, because he was on the com puter.

The Guardian

The rulers of former times were the "Puter Leat" (computer elite).

The Guardian - Books

A British com puter services company, the Cedar Group, said it was in talks to sell itself for less than half its market value because it was running out of cash.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "computer" instead of "'puter" in formal writing or professional contexts to maintain a polished and respectful tone.

Common error

Avoid using "'puter" in academic papers, business reports, or any formal communication. Stick to "computer" or more specific terms like "laptop" or "workstation" to ensure clarity and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "'puter" is as a noun, referring to a computer. It is a shortened, informal version of the word. As noted by Ludwig AI, this form is colloquial and less suitable for formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "'puter" is an informal abbreviation of "computer". While understandable, it's best used in casual contexts. As noted by Ludwig AI, formal writing requires the full term "computer" or more specific terms like "laptop" or "workstation". This ensures professionalism and clarity. Although Ludwig shows examples from news sources, these are likely instances of direct quotes or informal content and do not represent standard usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

computer

Formal and complete term for the same concept.

personal computer

More specific version of computer, implying individual use.

desktop computer

Specifies the type of computer, referring to a non-portable machine.

laptop

Refers to a portable computer.

workstation

Implies a high-performance computer used for professional tasks.

machine

Generic term for a computer or similar device.

electronic device

Broader term encompassing computers and related gadgets.

central processing unit

Technical term referring to the core of a computer.

digital device

A more general term that refers to devices that process digital information, including computers.

computing device

Formal way of referring to something with computing power.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "'puter"?

The term "'puter" is suitable for informal conversations or casual writing. In professional or academic settings, it's better to use the full word "computer".

Is "'puter" considered grammatically correct?

While commonly understood, "'puter" is a shortened, colloquial form and not grammatically correct in formal English. It is acceptable only in very informal contexts.

What's the difference between "'puter" and "computer"?

"Puter" is a shortened, informal version of "computer". The full term is appropriate for all situations, while the shortened version is best reserved for casual conversation.

Are there any risks associated with using "'puter" in professional communication?

Using "'puter" in a professional context may come across as unprofessional or too casual. It is generally recommended to stick to standard English terms such as "computer" or "laptop".