program it to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "program it to be" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to setting parameters or functions in a programming context. Example: "You can program it to be more efficient in processing data." Alternative expressions include "set it to be" and "configure it to be."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It's only as good as you program it to be.

Huffington Post

"You can program it to be anything," said Quitmeyer, referring to the Mod's operating system, a hacker-friendly platform dubbed the Dilduino.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

If I had studied programming and not chemical engineering I might have programmed it to be a collaborative website instead," says Johansson, revealing that Aragorn is the Tolkien character to fascinate him the most.

The Guardian - Books

Sign up now to get the Because VICE Canada delivered stheyght to your inbox.

Vice

More than 80% of the participants who completed the program considered it to be good to very good.

BMC Geriatrics

The Final Cut editing program needs it to be labeled: CONTENTS.

WikiHow

The STEER program was viewed as acceptable to participants as all families completed the STEER program and reported it to be a palatable intervention.

Cognitive and Behavioral Practice

When shellcode is used to take control of a program, it has to be put into the program's memory and then executed, which requires creative thinking.

Writing Security Tools and Exploits

Rather, like all AI programs, it had to be "trained" by being fed data about what constituted good results.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's a faith-based program, so it has to be a faith-based organization".

Huffington Post

To get leaders on board with a D&I program, it's important to be able to demonstrate the projected ROI of the program.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Follow the phrase with a specific functional state or characteristic to maximize the descriptive impact of the verb "program"

Common error

Writers often mistakenly use the preposition "as" (e.g. "program it as efficient") when defining a state. Using the infinitive "to be" is more grammatically robust for identifying the resulting nature or behavior of the object.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "program it to be" functions as a transitive verb construction followed by a direct object pronoun ("it") and an infinitive phrase ("to be"). According to Ludwig AI, this structure is used to assign a specific attribute or behavior to an entity through purposeful instruction or coding.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "program it to be" is a versatile and grammatically correct way to express that an entity—usually a piece of software, a robot, or a complex system—has been intentionally configured to exhibit specific traits. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is exceptionally common in high-authority sources, particularly in Science and News & Media. While "configure it to be" is a valid technical alternative, "program it to be" remains the standard for describing the foundational logic or code that determines an object's behavior. It is consistently rated highly for its clarity and authority across all formal writing registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

configure it to be

Implies setting specific parameters or options rather than writing core logic

set it to be

A simpler, more direct alternative often used for user-interface settings

code it to be

More informal and specifically emphasizes the act of writing software code

design it to be

Focuses on the architecture and initial intent rather than the implementation

instruct it to be

Gives the system a sense of agency or follows a command-based logic

tailor it to be

Suggests customization and specific adjustments for a particular need

develop it to be

Shifts focus to the long-term process of creation

optimize it to be

Implying that the current state is being improved for performance

adjust it to be

Suggests a minor change to an existing configuration

arrange it to be

Focuses on the logical or physical organization of components

FAQs

How do I use "program it to be" in a sentence?

You can use "program it to be" to describe the intentional configuration of a system, for example: "You can "program it to be" more efficient in processing data."

What can I say instead of "program it to be"?

Depending on your context, you might use "configure it to be", "set it to be", or "code it to be".

Is "program it to be" formal enough for academic writing?

Yes, it is frequently used in academic journals and scientific papers. However, "design it to be" or "configure it to be" can sometimes provide more technical precision.

What is the difference between "program it to be" and "set it to be"?

"program it to be" implies a deeper level of logic or algorithmic instruction, while "set it to be" often refers to choosing from pre-existing options in a user interface.