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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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program to tell

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "program to tell" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a software application or script designed to provide information or communicate specific messages. Example: "We developed a program to tell users about the latest updates in real-time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"There's a book, a TV program, to tell you how to do everything," he said.

News & Media

The New York Times

It led to appearances on radio and television programs, including the hit program "To Tell the Truth".

News & Media

The New York Times

Then, he drove off in his brand-new Hummer — an example of his affection for American autos, he said — to appear on another television program to tell his story of standing up to the American authorities.

News & Media

The New York Times

In BROKEN ANGELS (Del Rey/Ballantine, paper, $14.95), Kovacs returns as a soldier of fortune, fighting for pay on a distant planet where it takes more than a program to tell the good guys from the bad guys.

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

So it was that the station manager, Glen Rice, excitedly broke into regular programming to tell a most unusual story.

News & Media

The New York Times

A prosecutor is urging schools not to follow a new state law that requires districts with sex education programs to tell students about the proper use of contraceptives.

News & Media

The New York Times

"And I don't need you to break into my programming to tell me that he's just walking out of his house".

News & Media

The New York Times

If the thermostat were programmed to tell you immediately how much you are spending, the effect would be much more powerful".

Ms. Gadd said Fairtrade coffee and tea were exceptions, in that most people know the problems associated with commercial large-scale production and trust just a few certification programs to tell them what products to buy.

News & Media

The New York Times

Another brainchild is Robotender, a robot bartender with a television for a head that can be programmed to tell jokes and, as the company's literature notes, can also be programmed "to dance to specific music videos".

Some optical-scanning machines can be programmed to tell whether there are too many or too few votes on the ballot when the voter feeds it into the tabulator.

News & Media

The New York Times
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the purpose of a software application, use "program to tell" to clearly indicate its function of communicating information or instructions.

Common error

Avoid using "program to tell" in contexts where the software's function is not primarily about communicating or informing, as this can lead to ambiguity. Be specific about the type of information being conveyed.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

85%

Authority and reliability

4.2/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "program to tell" functions as an infinitive phrase modifying a noun. It specifies the intended purpose or function of a computer program, indicating its capacity to communicate or convey information. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in describing software designed for specific communicative tasks.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "program to tell" is a grammatically sound infinitive phrase used to describe the purpose of a software application. Ludwig AI states that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While relatively rare, it appears primarily in news and media, science, and wiki contexts. It functions descriptively, explaining a program's capacity to communicate or convey information. When using this phrase, ensure the software's function genuinely revolves around communicating or informing to prevent ambiguity.

FAQs

How can I use "program to tell" in a sentence?

You can use "program to tell" to describe the purpose of a software application, such as "We developed a "program to tell" users about the latest updates".

What's an alternative to "program to tell"?

Alternatives include "application for informing" or "software for notifying" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "program to tell" and "application to inform"?

While similar, "program to tell" emphasizes the act of communicating, while "application to inform" is broader and can encompass any way of conveying information. Consider the nuance when selecting your phrasing.

When should I use "program to tell" instead of "software for notifying"?

Use "program to tell" when you want to focus on the act of communicating a specific message or instruction. "Software for notifying" is better when the software's primary function is to alert users to something.

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Source & Trust

85%

Authority and reliability

4.2/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: