Have you ever been confused about whether to write practice or practise? You’re not alone. The difference lies in regional usage and grammatical roles, especially between British and American English. While both words are pronounced the same, they’re not always used interchangeably.
As noted by the editorial team at the Baltimore Chronicle, using the correct form of a word in the right context enhances both clarity and credibility in writing.
The Core Difference: Spelling and Function
In British English, practice is a noun, and practise is a verb. This is similar to other word pairs like advice/advise and device/devise.
Examples:
- Noun: She has a dental practice in London.
- Verb: He needs to practise the piano every day.
In American English, however, practice is used as both noun and verb. The form practise is not used at all in standard American writing.
Examples:
- Noun: He opened a medical practice in New York.
- Verb: She practices yoga every morning.
Common Examples in Context
Here’s how the difference plays out in real sentences:
British English:
- I practise guitar every evening. (verb)
- Her legal practice is very successful. (noun)
American English:
- I practice guitar every evening. (verb)
- Her legal practice is very successful. (noun)
Despite the spelling difference, pronunciation remains the same in both dialects.
Quick Reference Table
| Function | UK English | US English | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noun | practice | practice | She joined a law practice. |
| Verb | practise | practice | He practises his speech daily (UK) / He practices his speech daily (US) |
Tips for Remembering the Difference
- UK: “C” for noun (practice), “S” for verb (practise)
- US: Use “C” for both forms
- Link with other pairs: advice/advise, license/licence (UK only)
- Use a spell checker that detects UK vs. US rules
- Check your region’s style guide, especially in academic or formal writing
What Style Guides and Dictionaries Say
Major dictionaries like Oxford and Cambridge confirm this rule for UK English. The Oxford English Dictionary defines:
- Practice as “the actual application or use of an idea, belief, or method”
- Practise as “to perform an activity repeatedly or regularly”
In contrast, Merriam-Webster (US) lists only practice for both noun and verb forms.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Mistakes often happen when switching between British and American writing styles. Here’s how to stay consistent:
- Use British spelling (practise) only if writing for UK audiences or publications.
- Stick to practice for everything in American contexts.
- Avoid mixing the two forms in one document unless the regional variation is intentional.
Grammar Note: Practise in Other Forms
In British English, practise changes as follows:
- Present: practises (He practises)
- Past: practised (She practised)
- Continuous: practising (They are practising)
In American English, the same forms are derived from practice:
- practices, practiced, practicing
Spelling checkers like Grammarly or built-in tools in Word can help enforce consistency.
Summary: Practice vs. Practise
To sum it up, here’s a quick guide:
- British English:
- Practice = noun
- Practise = verb
- American English:
- Practice = noun and verb
- Pronunciation is the same in both versions
- Always consider your audience and regional standard when writing
Earlier we wrote about how to distinguish a hyphen from a dash.