The difference between practice and practise (grammar lesson)


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)
(Using the trick shown in the Hot Tip: "You need more preparation." This sounds okay. Therefore, practice is correct.)

You should practise more.

("practise" - verb)
(Using the trick shown in the Hot Tip: "You should prepare more." This sounds okay. Therefore, practise is correct.)

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

They practice in the office for 10 weeks and are then sent out.

(Using the trick shown in the Hot Tip: "They preparation in the office for 10 weeks..."
This is nonsense. Therefore, practice is wrong. It should be practise. Using the substitution method shown in the Hot Tip, it would be: "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)