Practice or Practise?
Practice or Practise?
What is the difference between "practice" and "practise?"Those following US writing conventions do not need to worry about the difference between "practice" and "practise." Just use "practice."
For those following British writing conventions, life is a little trickier. You must use "practice" for the noun but "practise" for the verb. For example:
- Practice makes perfect.
(
)
(
)
(Here, "practice" is a noun.)
- Shall I practice my handwriting?
(
)
(
)
- Shall I practise my handwriting?
(
)
(
)
(In these two examples, "practice" is a verb.)

Infographic showing the difference between practice and practise.

More about "Practice" and "Practise"
Click on the Two Correct Sentences
(Interactive Game) (Adopt the UK convention for this game.)
Getting ready...
Getting ready...
Getting ready...
Getting ready...
Getting ready...
Getting ready...
Getting ready...
Getting ready...
Getting ready...
Getting ready...

A Video Summary
Here is a short video summarizing the difference between "practice" and "practise."Some Help for Brits
Tricks To Spot "Practice" and "Practise"
If you're following UK writing conventions and you're unsure how to identify nouns and verbs, you can use the substitution tricks below.Example Sentences with "Practice" and "Practise
Remember that Americans do not need to worry about the word "practise." Americans can just use "practice." British writers do need to worry though. Here, for the Brits, are some examples with "practice" and "practise."Example 1:
- You need more practice.
- You need more preparation.
- You should practise more.
- You should prepare more.
- They practice in the office for 10 weeks before being sent into the real world.
- They preparation in the office for 10 weeks before being sent into the real world.
- Keep practicing that stroke until the whistle blast.
- Keep preparing that stroke until the whistle blast.
A Wrong Example from a Magazine
As this came from a British publication, it should say "practises" not "practices."
(And, yeah, it's not his best side!)
"Practicing" and "Practiced" Do Not Exist in British English
If you're following British convention, there should be no confusion with "practising" or "practised" as these are words formed from the verb "to practise." In other words, for Brits, the words "practicing" and "practiced" do not exist. Look at this example:- I must keep practicing that accent.
(
)
(
)
A Video Summary
Watch a video showing 10 big differences between British English and American English.Interactive Exercise
Here are three randomly selected questions from a larger exercise, which can be edited, printed to create an exercise worksheet, or sent via email to friends or students.- Do you disagree with something on this page?
- Did you spot a typo?