Are you confused about when to use practice or practise? You’re not alone. This is a common question that many people have. Let’s take a closer look at these two words and clear up any confusion once and for all.
The proper word is actually determined by where you live. In American English, practice is the correct spelling. In British English, practise is the correct spelling. However, both words have the same meaning.
Practice means to perform an activity or skill repeatedly or regularly in order to improve or maintain one’s proficiency. Practise is simply another spelling of practice, but it is used mainly in British English.
Now that we know the difference between the two spellings, let’s take a deeper dive into when to use each one.
Define Practice
Practice is a noun that refers to the act of doing something repeatedly to improve one’s skills or abilities. It is a way of honing one’s craft by performing a task or activity over and over again. This can be seen in various fields such as music, sports, and medicine, where consistent practice is essential to achieving success.
For instance, a musician who wants to improve their playing skills must practice regularly. This involves playing scales, learning new pieces, and perfecting their technique. Similarly, athletes must practice their moves and techniques to improve their performance on the field.
Practice can also refer to a profession or field of work that requires specialized knowledge and skills. For example, law and medicine are considered practices, as they require extensive training and experience to master.
Define Practise
Practise is a verb that means to perform an activity repeatedly to improve one’s skills or abilities. It is the action of practicing something, as opposed to the concept of practice itself.
For example, a student who wants to improve their writing skills must practise writing essays regularly. This involves researching, outlining, drafting, and editing their work until they have mastered the skill.
Practise can also refer to the act of carrying out a profession or field of work that requires specialized knowledge and skills. For instance, a doctor must practise medicine by seeing patients, diagnosing illnesses, and prescribing treatments.
| Practice | Practise |
|---|---|
| Noun | Verb |
| Refers to the act of doing something repeatedly to improve skills or abilities | Refers to the action of practicing something |
| Can also refer to a profession or field of work that requires specialized knowledge and skills | Can also refer to the act of carrying out a profession or field of work that requires specialized knowledge and skills |
How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence
Choosing the correct spelling of a word can be challenging, especially when it comes to words that have multiple spellings, such as “practice” and “practise”. In this section, we will discuss how to properly use both words in a sentence.
How To Use “Practice” In A Sentence
The word “practice” is primarily used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb. Here are some examples of how to use “practice” in a sentence:
- As a noun: “I need to go to basketball practice tonight.”
- As a verb: “I need to practice my guitar skills.”
When using “practice” as a noun, it refers to a regular activity or routine that is done to improve a skill or ability. When using “practice” as a verb, it means to perform an activity or routine regularly in order to improve a skill or ability.
How To Use “Practise” In A Sentence
The word “practise” is primarily used as a verb in British English. Here are some examples of how to use “practise” in a sentence:
- “I need to practise my French before my trip to Paris.”
- “She enjoys practising yoga in the morning.”
When using “practise” as a verb, it means to perform an activity or routine regularly in order to improve a skill or ability. It is important to note that in American English, the word is spelled “practice” regardless of whether it is being used as a noun or a verb.
More Examples Of Practice & Practise Used In Sentences
In order to fully understand the difference between practice and practise, it’s important to see them used in context. Here are some examples of both words used in sentences:
Examples Of Using Practice In A Sentence
- She needs to practice her piano every day to improve her skills.
- The team had a long practice session before the big game.
- It takes a lot of practice to become a skilled dancer.
- He made a lot of mistakes during practice, but he learned from them.
- The doctor’s practice is located downtown.
- She has a law practice that specializes in immigration cases.
- He’s been in practice for over twenty years and has a lot of experience.
- She’s in the practice of meditating every morning to start her day off right.
- The band’s practice space was in a garage in the suburbs.
- She’s been practicing her English by watching TV shows and movies.
Examples Of Using Practise In A Sentence
- He needs to practise his spelling if he wants to do well on the test.
- The doctor’s office is closed on weekends, but he still practises medicine at the hospital.
- She’s been practising yoga for years and is now a certified instructor.
- The lawyer had to practise his closing argument several times before the trial.
- He’s been practising his guitar skills for hours every day.
- She’s in the process of practising her driving so she can get her license.
- He’s been practising his public speaking skills by giving speeches to small groups.
- The team is practising their new play before the big game.
- She’s been practising mindfulness to help reduce her stress levels.
- He’s been practising his French by speaking with native speakers.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
Although practice and practise are often used interchangeably, they have distinct meanings and are used in different contexts. Here are some common mistakes people make when using these words and how to avoid them:
Using “Practice” As A Verb In British English
In British English, “practice” is a noun and “practise” is the verb form. This means that “practice” cannot be used as a verb in British English. For example, “I need to practise my guitar” is correct, while “I need to practice my guitar” is incorrect in British English.
Using “Practise” As A Noun In American English
In American English, “practice” is both a noun and a verb, while “practise” is rarely used. Using “practise” as a noun in American English is incorrect. For example, “I have a lot of practice playing the guitar” is correct, while “I have a lot of practise playing the guitar” is incorrect in American English.
Confusing “Practice” With “Practise” In Legal Contexts
In legal contexts, “practice” is used as a noun to refer to the work of a lawyer or doctor, while “practise” is used as a verb to refer to the act of performing that work. Confusing these two words can lead to misunderstandings in legal documents. For example, “He was admitted to practice law in 2005” is correct, while “He was admitted to practise law in 2005” is incorrect in this context.
Using The Wrong Spelling In Compound Words
Compound words that include “practice” or “practise” can be tricky. For example, “practise-oriented” is incorrect, while “practice-oriented” is correct. Similarly, “practise-based” is incorrect, while “practice-based” is correct. To avoid these mistakes, always double-check the spelling of compound words that include these words.
Tips To Avoid Mistakes
- Pay attention to the context in which the word is being used.
- Consult a dictionary to confirm the correct spelling and usage.
- Practice using the words correctly in your writing and speech.
Context Matters
When it comes to choosing between practice and practise, context is key. Both words have the same meaning, but the spelling differs depending on where and how they are used. Understanding the context in which they are used can help you choose the correct spelling.
Examples Of Different Contexts
Here are some examples of different contexts in which the choice between practice and practise might change:
| Context | Example | Correct Spelling |
|---|---|---|
| Verb | I need to _______ my piano skills. | practice |
| Noun | I have a _______ session with my basketball team. | practice |
| Adjective | He is a _______ player. | practised |
| Legal Terminology | The lawyer will _______ law in the state of New York. | practise |
As you can see from the examples above, the choice between practice and practise can vary depending on the context in which they are used. It’s important to pay attention to the context to ensure that you are using the correct spelling.
Exceptions To The Rules
While the rules for using practice and practise are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions that may arise. Here are a few instances where the rules may not apply:
1. Legal Terminology
In legal terminology, the use of practice and practise can vary depending on the jurisdiction. For example, in American legal writing, practice is used as a noun and a verb, while practise is not used at all. However, in British legal writing, both practice and practise are used as verbs. It is important to consult the appropriate style guide for legal writing in your jurisdiction to ensure proper usage.
2. Medical Terminology
In medical terminology, the use of practice and practise can also vary. In American medical writing, practice is used as a noun and a verb, while practise is not used at all. However, in British medical writing, both practice and practise are used as verbs. Again, it is important to consult the appropriate style guide for medical writing in your jurisdiction to ensure proper usage.
3. Regional Differences
There are also regional differences in the use of practice and practise. For example, in Canada, both practice and practise are commonly used, but practice is more commonly used as a noun and practise is more commonly used as a verb. In Australia and New Zealand, practise is the preferred spelling for both the noun and verb forms. It is important to be aware of these regional differences when writing for an international audience.
4. Technical Writing
In technical writing, the use of practice and practise can also vary depending on the field. For example, in computer science, practice is used as a noun and a verb, while practise is not used at all. However, in music theory, both practice and practise are used as nouns to refer to different concepts. It is important to consult the appropriate style guide for technical writing in your field to ensure proper usage.
Overall, while the rules for using practice and practise are generally straightforward, it is important to be aware of any exceptions that may arise. By consulting the appropriate style guide and being mindful of regional and technical differences, you can ensure that your writing is clear, concise, and professional.
Practice Exercises
One of the best ways to improve your understanding and usage of practice and practise is through practice exercises. These exercises can help you identify the correct usage of the two words in different contexts and improve your overall writing skills. Here are some practice exercises that can help:
Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank
In this exercise, you will be given a sentence with a blank space. You need to choose the correct word (practice or practise) to fill in the blank. Here are some examples:
- It is important to __________ your skills regularly.
- She needs to __________ her lines for the play.
- The team will __________ their routine before the competition.
Answer key:
- practice
- practise
- practice
Exercise 2: Multiple Choice
In this exercise, you will be given a sentence with a blank space. You need to choose the correct word (practice or practise) from the multiple choices provided. Here are some examples:
- He needs to __________ his guitar every day to improve his skills.
- a) practice
- b) practise
- c) both
- d) neither
- She has been __________ yoga for years.
- a) practicing
- b) practising
- c) both
- d) neither
Answer key:
- a
- b
Exercise 3: Sentence Completion
In this exercise, you will be given a sentence with a missing word. You need to complete the sentence with the correct form of practice or practise. Here are some examples:
- She wants to __________ her French before her trip to Paris.
- He has been __________ his golf swing for months.
- The dance team needs to __________ their routine before the competition.
Answer key:
- practise
- practising
- practice
By practicing these exercises, you can improve your understanding and usage of practice and practise. Remember to refer to the answer keys or explanations provided to ensure that you are using the correct form of the word in different contexts.
Conclusion
After exploring the differences between practice and practise, it is clear that these two words are not interchangeable. Practice is a noun or a verb used in American English, while practise is used in British English. It is important to pay attention to the spelling of these words, as using the wrong spelling can lead to confusion and misunderstandings.
Furthermore, this article highlights the importance of paying attention to grammar and language use. While it may seem trivial, the correct use of words can greatly impact how a message is received. By continuing to learn and improve our language skills, we can effectively communicate and avoid misunderstandings.
Remember, language is constantly evolving and it is important to stay up-to-date with current usage. Whether it is through reading, writing, or taking courses, there are many ways to continue learning and improving our language skills. Let’s strive to use language effectively and accurately.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.