Practised vs Practiced: When And How Can You Use Each One?

Have you ever found yourself confused about whether to use “practised” or “practiced” in your writing? You’re not alone. Many people struggle with this seemingly simple spelling difference. In this article, we’ll explore the difference between the two words and provide a definitive answer on which one is correct to use.

We should clarify the difference between “practised” and “practiced.” “Practised” is the British spelling of the word, while “practiced” is the American spelling. Both words have the same meaning, which is to carry out a particular activity or skill regularly or regularly engage in an activity or skill to improve or maintain one’s proficiency.

Now that we’ve established the difference between the two spellings, let’s dive deeper into the topic and explore why it matters. Understanding the difference between “practised” and “practiced” is crucial, especially if you’re writing for an international audience or submitting work to a publication that follows a specific style guide.

Define Practised

Practised is the past participle of the verb “practice” and is commonly used in British English. It is an adjective that describes someone who has developed a skill through repeated practice or someone who is accustomed to doing something.

For example, “She is a practised pianist, having played for many years.”

Define Practiced

Practiced is the past participle of the verb “practice” and is commonly used in American English. It is an adjective that describes someone who has developed a skill through repeated practice or someone who is accustomed to doing something.

For example, “He is a practiced surgeon, having performed many successful surgeries.”

It is important to note that while “practiced” is the standard spelling in American English, it can also be used in British English as an alternative to “practised.”

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Using the correct spelling of a word is essential in conveying a clear and concise message. The words “practised” and “practiced” are often confused with each other, but they have distinct meanings and uses. In this section, we will discuss how to properly use these words in a sentence.

How To Use “Practised” In A Sentence

“Practised” is the British spelling of the word “practiced.” It is used as an adjective to describe someone who has a skill or activity that they regularly do or perform. Here are some examples:

• She is a practised pianist who has been playing for over 10 years.
• The team’s practised defense helped them win the championship game.
• He is a practised public speaker who can captivate an audience.

As you can see, “practised” is used to describe someone who has experience or skill in a particular area. It is not used as a verb.

How To Use “Practiced” In A Sentence

“Practiced” is the American spelling of the word “practised.” It is used as both a verb and an adjective. Here are some examples:

• She practiced the piano for three hours every day.
• The team practiced their defense before the championship game.
• He is a practiced public speaker who can captivate an audience.

As you can see, “practiced” is used to describe the act of doing something repeatedly to improve skill or proficiency. It can also be used as an adjective to describe someone who is skilled or experienced in a particular area.

It is important to note that while “practiced” is the preferred spelling in American English, “practised” is still considered correct and widely used in British English.

More Examples Of Practised & Practiced Used In Sentences

In order to fully understand the difference between “practised” and “practiced,” it is helpful to see them used in context. Here are some examples:

Examples Of Using Practised In A Sentence:

• She practised her piano for hours every day.
• He had practised law for over 20 years before retiring.
• The team practised their routine until it was perfect.
• She practised her speech in front of the mirror.
• He practised his jump shot until he could make it with his eyes closed.
• She practised her yoga poses every morning.
• He practised his handwriting until it was neat and legible.
• The artist practised her painting techniques for years before exhibiting her work.
• The chef practised his recipe until it was just right.
• The dancers practised their routine until it was flawless.

Examples Of Using Practiced In A Sentence:

• She practiced her presentation before the big meeting.
• He practiced his golf swing every weekend.
• The doctor practiced medicine for over 30 years.
• She practiced her French every day in preparation for her trip to Paris.
• The musician practiced his scales until his fingers were sore.
• He practiced his interview skills with a career coach.
• The football team practiced their plays before the big game.
• She practiced her dance routine until she could do it in her sleep.
• The writer practiced his craft by writing every day.
• The actor practiced his lines until he knew them by heart.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

Many people use the words “practised” and “practiced” interchangeably, but this is incorrect. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

1. Using “Practised” As The Past Tense Of “Practice”

“Practised” is a verb in its own right, meaning to carry out a particular activity or skill regularly or repeatedly in order to improve or maintain one’s proficiency. However, it is not the past tense of “practice”. The correct past tense of “practice” is “practiced”.

2. Using “Practiced” As An Adjective

Some people make the mistake of using “practiced” as an adjective, as in “a practiced musician”. However, the correct adjective form is “practised”, as in “a practised musician”.

3. Using “Practice” As A Noun And “Practiced” As A Verb

Another common mistake is using “practice” as a noun and “practiced” as a verb, as in “I need to practice my guitar” and “I practiced guitar for two hours yesterday”. However, the correct verb form is “practise”, not “practice”. The correct sentences would be “I need to practise my guitar” and “I practised guitar for two hours yesterday”.

Tips To Avoid These Mistakes

• Use a spell checker to ensure you are using the correct spelling of “practised” or “practiced”.
• Consult a grammar guide or dictionary if you are unsure of the correct usage.
• Practice using the correct forms in your writing and speaking until it becomes second nature.

Context Matters

Choosing between practised and practiced can be a tricky decision, as it is heavily dependent on the context in which they are used. The correct usage of these words can make a significant impact on the overall meaning of a sentence or phrase.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Let’s take a look at some different contexts and how the choice between practised and practiced might change:

• British vs American English: In British English, the verb is spelled “practised” with a “s”, while in American English, the verb is spelled “practiced” with a “c”.
• Legal Terminology: In legal terminology, “practised” is often used as an adjective to describe a lawyer or law firm that is currently active in the field. For example, “She is a practised lawyer in the field of criminal law.” On the other hand, “practiced” is used as a past tense verb to describe an action that has already taken place. For example, “He practiced law for many years before retiring.”
• Music: In the context of music, “practised” is used as an adjective to describe a musician who is skilled and experienced in playing their instrument. For example, “He is a practised guitarist who has been playing for over 20 years.” Meanwhile, “practiced” is used as a verb to describe the act of rehearsing or playing music. For example, “The band practiced their setlist for hours before the concert.”

It’s important to note that context is key when choosing between practised and practiced. Always consider the intended meaning of the sentence and the context in which it is being used before making a decision.

Exceptions To The Rules

Like many English language rules, there are exceptions to the use of practised and practiced. Here are a few examples:

When Used As An Adjective

When practised and practiced are used as adjectives, they have different meanings. Practised means skilled or experienced, while practiced means rehearsed or done repeatedly.

• He is a practised musician, having played the piano for over 20 years.
• The team practiced their routine until it was perfect.

In British English

In British English, the rules for using practised and practiced are slightly different than in American English. In British English, both words can be used as adjectives and verbs, but the preferred spelling for the verb is practised.

• She practised her dance routine every day for a month.
• He is a practiced liar, having deceived many people in the past.

In Legal Contexts

In legal contexts, the spelling of practised and practiced can have different meanings. In some cases, the use of one spelling over the other can affect the interpretation of a legal document.

Practised	Practiced
Refers to an action that has been carried out repeatedly and is habitual	Refers to an action that has been carried out once or a few times
Can imply a sense of skill or expertise	Does not imply any particular level of skill or expertise
Used in legal contexts in the UK and other Commonwealth countries	Used in legal contexts in the US and other countries

It’s important to know the context in which you are using practised and practiced in order to use the correct spelling and convey the intended meaning.

Practice Exercises

One of the best ways to improve your understanding and use of practised and practiced is through practice exercises. Here are some exercises that can help you:

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Fill in the blank with either practised or practiced:

1. She ____________ her dance routine every day.
2. He has ____________ yoga for years.
3. The team ____________ their soccer skills during practice.
4. She ____________ her piano skills for hours every day.
5. He has ____________ his English pronunciation with a tutor.

Answer key:

1. practised
2. practiced
3. practised
4. practised
5. practiced

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Choose the correct word, either practised or practiced, to fill in the blank:

1. She has ____________ her violin skills for years.
1. practised
2. practiced
2. He ____________ his Spanish with a language exchange program.
1. practised
2. practiced
3. The team ____________ their basketball skills during practice.
1. practised
2. practiced
4. She has ____________ her public speaking skills with a coach.
1. practised
2. practiced
5. He has ____________ his guitar for hours every day.
1. practised
2. practiced

Answer key:

1. practised
2. practiced
3. practised
4. practiced
5. practised

By practicing with these exercises, you can improve your understanding and use of practised and practiced. Remember to pay attention to the context and verb tense when choosing which word to use.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the difference between practised and practiced may seem small, but it can have a significant impact on the clarity and professionalism of your writing. Remember:

• Practised is the British English spelling of the word, while practiced is the American English spelling.
• Both spellings are correct, but it’s important to be consistent within your writing.
• Consider your audience and which spelling is appropriate for the context of your writing.
• Always proofread your work carefully to catch any misspellings or inconsistencies.

As writers, it’s essential to pay attention to the details of language use and grammar. By doing so, we can communicate our ideas clearly and effectively. If you’re interested in continuing to improve your writing skills, consider exploring resources such as:

1. Grammarly: a digital writing assistant that can help you catch errors and improve your writing.
2. The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White: a classic guide to writing style and grammar.
3. Online writing communities or workshops: opportunities to connect with other writers and receive feedback on your work.

By continuing to learn and grow as writers, we can create work that is not only grammatically correct but engaging and impactful.