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practice and practise - the difference




'Practice' is a noun. 'To practise' is a verb.
 

There is often confusion over the words 'practice' and 'practise'. In order to understand which to use, you must know the difference between a noun and a verb. This is because 'practice' is a noun; whereas, 'practise' is a verb. However, there are tricks to get around this. (See 'Hot Tip' right.)

Examples:

You need more practice.
("practice" - noun)
("You need more preparation/lessons." < sounds ok too; practice is correct)

You should practise more.
("practise" - verb)
("You should prepare more." < sounds ok; practise is correct)


          should be "practises" not "practices"
                               (magazine clipping)

They practice in the office for 10 weeks and are then sent out.
("They lessons/preparation in the office for 10 weeks..." < nonsense; practice is wrong; should be practise; "They prepare in the office...")

Keep practicing that stroke until the whistle blast.  

Select the correct version:



 
A LITTLE TRICK TO SPOT 'PRACTICE' 

Try using the word 'preparation' (or 'lessons') instead of 'practice'. If the sentence still makes sense, then 'practice' is almost certainly correct.
(This trick works because 'practice' is a noun, just like the words 'preparation' and 'lessons'.)

A LITTLE TRICK TO SPOT 'PRACTISE' 

Try using the verb 'to prepare' (in its various forms; e.g., preparing, prepared, prepares) instead of 'practise'. If the sentence still makes sense, then 'practise' is almost certainly correct. However, if you find yourself using 'preparation' then you should be using 'practice', because both are nouns.
(This trick works because 'to practise' is a verb, just like 'to prepare'. )

NO CONFUSION 

There should be no confusion with 'practising' or 'practised'. These are always verbs.

PRACTICE IN AMERICA 

Whilst many in the US have adopted 'practise' as the verb and 'practice' as the noun, it is acceptable to use 'practice' for both noun and verb in American English.

I must keep practising/practicing that accent.
(both versions acceptable in American English)

See also:

What are nouns?
What are verbs?
List of easily confused words

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