programs

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "programs" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to any set of activities or instructions designed to produce a specific result. For example, "The city created various programs to help low-income families purchase housing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Abbott said the federal government believed "the states should take more responsibility for their public hospitals and for their public schools and we make no apologies for wanting the states to be grown up, adult governments that take responsibility for the programs that are theirs, for the institutions that they run".

The Guardian

The most significant retrenchment programs on a per capita basis have been those of Greece.

The New York Times

And, because it nominally funds Social Security and Medicare, some liberals regard its continuance as essential to the survival of those programs.

The Economist

In the days that I followed Jones around, I heard several people who ran training programs in green professions complain that once their students had graduated they couldn't find work.

The Economist

For many like Klein, the enjoyment of more than two weeks off work has been tinged with concern about the programs they operate and anxiety about whether and when they will be paid.

The Guardian

Thousands gathered by the Capitol reflection pool in Washington on Saturday to march, chant, and listen to speakers and performers as part of Stop Watching Us, a gathering to protest "mass surveillance" under NSA programs first disclosed by the whistleblower Edward Snowden.

The Guardian

The database holding the programs had been accessed more than 20,000 times, but there is no evidence that they have ever been deployed for use beyond GCHQ staff.

The Guardian

"This was quite a surprise as we put up a master's thesis from a brand new primate lab with very little funding, and successfully competed with 11 PhD finalists from the best primatology programs in the world," McPhee said.

The Guardian

Changes to unemployment benefits AKA "earn or learn" – blocked and sidelined Unemployed people under 30 would only be able to claim Newstart or Youth Allowance for six months of the year, and would have to take part in 25 hours a week of work-for-the dole programs if not studying or training.

The Guardian

Though DeMint was referring specifically to the Affordable Care Act, a law the Heritage Foundation is urging Congress to defund in next month's continuing resolution, his comments could also apply to existing programs that have more direct government involvement than the ACA.

The Guardian

The State Department released a total of four emails between Clinton and her top advisers as part of a Freedom of Information Act request filed in 2013 by AP, which sought Clinton's correspondence with senior advisers over a four-year period relating to drone strikes overseas and US surveillance programs.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to specific initiatives, use "programs" to denote a structured and often ongoing set of activities. For example: "The government launched several new education "programs" this year."

Common error

Ensure you use the plural form "programs" when referring to multiple initiatives or sets of activities. Incorrect: "The city implemented a new program to reduce pollution." Correct: "The city implemented several new "programs" to reduce pollution."

Linguistic Context

The word "programs" primarily functions as a plural noun, referring to structured activities or sets of instructions. It commonly denotes planned initiatives in various domains, as exemplified by Ludwig's instances such as "training "programs"" or "surveillance "programs"".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "programs" is a common and grammatically correct plural noun that refers to structured activities or sets of instructions designed to achieve specific goals. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is widely used across various contexts, including news, business, and technology. While generally neutral in formality, it's crucial to use the plural form correctly and avoid common errors such as using the singular "program" when referring to multiple initiatives. The related phrases offer alternative ways to express similar concepts, enriching your vocabulary and enhancing your writing precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

schemes

Refers to a systematic plan or arrangement for attaining a particular object or putting a particular idea into effect.

initiatives

Implies a new or innovative approach to solving a problem or achieving a goal.

projects

Focuses on a specific, often temporary, endeavor designed to achieve a particular aim.

plans

Highlights the detailed arrangement and intended purpose of the actions.

agendas

Emphasizes a list of items to be discussed or actions to be taken.

curricula

Specifically refers to the courses offered by an educational institution.

arrangements

Focuses on the systematic organization or ordering of activities.

undertakings

Emphasizes a commitment to a particular course of action.

operations

Suggests a practical, ongoing activity or process.

campaigns

Refers to a series of planned activities designed to achieve a specific goal.

FAQs

How do I use "programs" in a sentence?

"Programs" is the plural form of "program" and is used to refer to multiple organized activities or sets of instructions designed to achieve a specific goal. For example, "The university offers a variety of academic "programs" to its students."

What's the difference between "programs" and "projects"?

"Programs" typically refer to ongoing, structured activities, while "projects" are usually temporary endeavors with specific start and end dates. For example, a city might have environmental "programs" for long-term sustainability and specific "projects" for cleaning up a particular river.

What can I say instead of "programs"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "initiatives", "schemes", or "plans". For instance, "The government announced new healthcare "initiatives"" instead of "healthcare "programs"."

Is it correct to use "programs" when referring to computer software?

Yes, "programs" can refer to both sets of activities and computer software. When talking about computer software, "programs" means a set of instructions that a computer can execute. For example, "The company develops various software "programs" for data analysis."