used a program

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "used a program" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of employing a software application or tool to accomplish a task or achieve a goal. Example: "For the data analysis, I used a program that helps visualize trends and patterns."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

We used a program to help us use more of the analog signals, an amp called the Kemper which houses many different amplifiers in one, and we used bridge called the Evertune that helps keep our guitars in tune, which freed up a lot of time to be more creative and worry less about the technical aspects.

Huffington Post

To obtain a summary stratified IRD, we used a program, co-written by one of us (JAB) to implement a fixed-effects Mantel-Haenszel (M-H) procedure in STATA.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Mr. Combetta then used a program called BleachBit to delete the messages, the bureau said.

The New York Times

The employee then deleted the emails and used a program called BleachBit to delete the files.

The Washington Post

To analyze mortgages, S.& P. used a program called Levels version 5.6 at the time.

The New York Times

Croton High School students have used a program, connected to the University of Illinois, to test insect samples.

The New York Times

Study III used a program to help three patients exercise a leg-foot movement.

Research in Developmental Disabilities

In particular, Study II used a program to help three patients exercise an arm-raising movement.

Research in Developmental Disabilities

They used a program named dFlash, written by Terje Frostad of ATMEL Norway.

Cornell University

Instead, the farm used a program connected to a Social Security Administration database, which didn't flag any problems.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

It used a program-related investment to become a limited partner in the Unitus Equity Fund, a private equity business affiliated with the nonprofit Unitus.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process, be specific about the program's name and version to enhance clarity and reproducibility, especially in technical or academic writing.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that you "used a program" without specifying its purpose or functionality. Provide enough context to explain why the program was necessary and how it contributed to the outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "used a program" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of employing a software application. Ludwig shows various examples where this phrase is used to describe the application of software in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

40%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "used a program" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the action of employing a software application, as validated by Ludwig. It is versatile and suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and academia. While the phrase is generally acceptable, it's essential to provide specifics about the program's name and function for clarity. Alternatives like "employed an application" or "utilized a software tool" can be used for more formal writing. Ludwig’s examples indicate its broad applicability and understandability, reinforcing its status as a reliable phrase in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

employed an application

Replaces "used" with "employed" and "program" with "application", suggesting a slightly more formal tone.

utilized a software tool

Substitutes "used" with "utilized" and "program" with "software tool", indicating a more technical context.

ran a software application

Changes the verb to "ran", focusing on the execution of the program.

implemented a system

Replaces "program" with "system", broadening the scope to include more complex software.

applied a software solution

Uses "applied" instead of "used", emphasizing the problem-solving aspect of the software.

leveraged a technology

Substitutes "used" with "leveraged", highlighting the strategic use of technology.

adopted a digital tool

Replaces "program" with "digital tool", making it sound less formal.

operated a routine

Replaces "program" with "routine", focusing on a specific automated procedure.

exploited a code

Replaces "used" with "exploited" and "program" with "code", hinting at using the program for unintended purposes.

worked with a utility

Emphasizes working directly with a utility program, rather than merely using it.

FAQs

How can I use "used a program" in a sentence?

You can use "used a program" to describe employing software for a specific task. For example, "I "used a program" to analyze the data."

What are some alternatives to "used a program"?

Alternatives include "employed an application", "utilized a software tool", or "ran a software application", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "used a program" or "utilized a program"?

"Used a program" is generally more common and less formal. "Utilized a program" sounds more formal and might be suitable for academic or technical writing.

What's the difference between "used a program" and "developed a program"?

"Used a program" means employing existing software, while "developed a program" means creating a new one. For instance, "I "used a program" to edit the video" versus "I "developed a program" to automate the process."