Learning Materials
Features
Discover
Do you ever catch yourself hesitating over whether to write practice or practise? Well, don't beat yourself up. You're certainly not alone! It's a common conundrum that many English language users grapple with. Whether you're a seasoned writer or an English newbie, the question remains – practice or practise? In this article, we aim to solve this linguistic puzzle once and for all.
Millions of flashcards designed to help you ace your studies
Sign up for freeWhat is the main difference between 'practice' and 'practise'?
In American English, what parts of speech can 'practice' be used as?
In British English, what is 'practise' used as?
What does 'practice' mean as a noun?
Give an example of 'practice' as a noun in a sentence.
What is the primary function of 'practise' in British English?
In which English variant can 'practice' be both a noun and a verb?
What is a common mistake made with 'practice' and 'practise'?
Why is it important to use the correct form of 'practice' or 'practise'?
What are synonyms for 'practice' as a noun?
What is the main difference between 'practice' and 'practise'?
In American English, what parts of speech can 'practice' be used as?
In British English, what is 'practise' used as?
What does 'practice' mean as a noun?
Give an example of 'practice' as a noun in a sentence.
What is the primary function of 'practise' in British English?
In which English variant can 'practice' be both a noun and a verb?
What is a common mistake made with 'practice' and 'practise'?
Why is it important to use the correct form of 'practice' or 'practise'?
What are synonyms for 'practice' as a noun?
Achieve better grades quicker with Premium
Geld-zurück-Garantie, wenn du durch die Prüfung fällst
Did you know that StudySmarter supports you beyond learning?
Review generated flashcards
Start learning or create your own AI flashcards
Team Practice or Practise Teachers
The distinction between practice and practise primarily boils down to one fundamental rule in English language - American and British variations.
In American English, practice serves as both a noun and a verb. For instance, you might hear someone say, 'I need to practice my presentation skills,' or 'I have a piano practice later.'
In contrast, British English distinguishes the two; practice is a noun, and practise is a verb.
Let's keep it real; life won't fall apart if you interchange practice and practise. However, it's the small details that often make a big difference. Using the correct form adds authenticity to your communication, showcasing attention to detail and respect for the language.
While the following synonyms have similar meanings to practice and practise, they might not always be interchangeable depending on the context of the sentence. Always consider the specific nuances of each word when choosing the most appropriate synonym.
| Synonyms for practice as a noun | Synonyms for practise/practice as a verb |
|
|
In both American and British English, practice as a noun refers to the actual application or use of an idea, belief, or method, as opposed to theories relating to it. It could also mean repeated exercise in or performance of an activity or skill to acquire or maintain proficiency in it.
Imagine you're learning to play the guitar. The repeated strumming and playing of chords would be your practice. Similarly, a doctor's clinic can also be referred to as a practice. Remember, practice as a noun is something you do or have, not something you're doing.
In British English, practise serves as a verb. It represents the act of performing an activity or exercise regularly to improve one's proficiency.
If you're a student preparing for a test, you might practise your math problems. An aspiring musician would practise their scales daily. Just remember, when you're talking about the action, use practise.
Here are some examples of sentences in practice or practise as a noun or a verb.
Practice as a noun (Both in American English and British English):
Practice as a verb (American English):
Practise as a verb (British English):
People often confuse practice and practise, even when they know the rules. The trick lies in remembering that the distinction is more geographical than grammatical. If you're writing for an American audience or in an American context, practice is your go-to for all situations. But if you're catering to a British or international audience, the practice vs practise rule applies.
While in American English, practice works as both a noun and a verb, British English draws a distinction. Remember, practice (noun) is something you do, and practise (verb) is the action you're taking.
Practise is very much a part of the English language, albeit not commonly used in American English. It's a verb form that finds extensive use in British and International English.
While English is indeed a quirky language, it does have its rules. The practice vs practise distinction is one such rule that brings consistency to the language, at least in British English.
| Practise or practise differences | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Practice (American English | Practise (British English) | Practice (British English) | |
| Part of Speech | Both noun and verb | Verb | Noun |
| Meaning as a Verb | To perform an activity or exercise skill repeatedly or regularly in order to improve or maintain one's proficiency. Example: 'I practice the piano every day.' | To perform an activity or exercise skill repeatedly or regularly in order to improve or maintain one's proficiency. Example: 'I practise the piano every day.' | N/A |
| Meaning as a Noun | The actual application or use of an idea, belief, or method, as opposed to theories relating to it. Example: 'The practice of meditation is beneficial.' | N/A | The actual application or use of an idea, belief, or method, as opposed to theories relating to it. Example: 'The practice of meditation is beneficial.' |
| Common Confusion | None | Often people may use the American English form practice instead of the British English form practise when they mean to use the verb form. | Often people may use practice when they mean to use the verb form practise. |
The usage of practice and practise differs based on the English variant you are using. As mentioned earlier, in American English, practice can be used as both a noun and a verb. But in British English, practise is the verb and practice is the noun.
Sign up for free to gain access to all our flashcards.
When to use 'practice' or 'practise'?
Use 'practice' when referring to the noun (the act itself or the routine), regardless of whether you're using American or British English. However, when referring to the verb (the act of doing), use 'practice' for American English and 'practise' for British English.
Practice or practise, which is correct?
Both are correct! It just depends on the context and regional usage. If you're using American English, 'practice' is the correct spelling for both the noun and the verb. For British English, 'practice' is the noun, and 'practise' is the verb.
How to use 'practice' or 'practise'?
Use 'practice' as a noun when referring to the action or routine, such as 'I have guitar practice.' If you're talking about the act of doing something, say 'I need to practise the guitar' in British English and 'I need to practice the guitar' in American English.
How do I spell 'practice' or 'practise'?
In American English, 'practice' is the spelling for both the noun and the verb. In British English, 'practice' is the noun and 'practise' is the verb.
Is there a simple trick to remember the difference between 'practice' and 'practise'?
Yes, there is! You can use the example of 'advice' and 'advise'. In British English, 'advice' is a noun (like 'practice'), and 'advise' is a verb (like 'practise'). They sound similar and follow the same pattern. Therefore, if you can remember that 'advice' is to 'advise' as 'practice' is to 'practise', you'll always get it right! Remember, this rule applies to British English. In American English, 'practice' is used for both noun and verb forms.
At StudySmarter, we have created a learning platform that serves millions of students. Meet the people who work hard to deliver fact based content as well as making sure it is verified.
Lily Hulatt is a Digital Content Specialist with over three years of experience in content strategy and curriculum design. She gained her PhD in English Literature from Durham University in 2022, taught in Durham University’s English Studies Department, and has contributed to a number of publications. Lily specialises in English Literature, English Language, History, and Philosophy.
Get to know Lily
Gabriel Freitas is an AI Engineer with a solid experience in software development, machine learning algorithms, and generative AI, including large language models’ (LLMs) applications. Graduated in Electrical Engineering at the University of São Paulo, he is currently pursuing an MSc in Computer Engineering at the University of Campinas, specializing in machine learning topics. Gabriel has a strong background in software engineering and has worked on projects involving computer vision, embedded AI, and LLM applications.
Get to know Gabriel
Vaia is a globally recognized educational technology company, offering a holistic learning platform designed for students of all ages and educational levels. Our platform provides learning support for a wide range of subjects, including STEM, Social Sciences, and Languages and also helps students to successfully master various tests and exams worldwide, such as GCSE, A Level, SAT, ACT, Abitur, and more. We offer an extensive library of learning materials, including interactive flashcards, comprehensive textbook solutions, and detailed explanations. The cutting-edge technology and tools we provide help students create their own learning materials. StudySmarter’s content is not only expert-verified but also regularly updated to ensure accuracy and relevance.
Learn moreSave explanations to your personalised space and access them anytime, anywhere!
Sign up with Email Sign up with AppleBy signing up, you agree to the Terms and Conditions and the Privacy Policy of Vaia.
Already have an account? Log in
Sign up to highlight and take notes. It’s 100% free.
Explanations 
Textbooks 
Exams 
GCSE 
IGCSE 
AS 
A Level 
International A Level 
University Admissions Tests 
Flashcards 
Vaia AI 
Notes 
Study Plans 
Study Sets 
Find a job 
Find a degree 
Student Deals 
Magazine 
Mobile App 
