practise vs practice
In UK English, practise with an s is the verb (to practise) and practice with a c is the noun (a practice). You practise the piano; the practice pays off. (US English uses practice for both.)
The difference
- practise (verb (UK)) — to do something repeatedly to improve
- practice (noun (UK)) — the act of practising; a habit or a business
Examples
- You should practise every day.
- Daily practice makes the difference.
How to remember
Advise/advice tells you which is which: like advise (verb), practise is the verb.
The common trap
In UK writing, 'I practice daily' — the verb takes an s: practise.
Practice or practise in UK and US English
British English separates the noun and verb. Practice with c is the noun: 'Regular practice helps.' Practise with s is the verb: 'Practise regularly.' The distinction also applies to the verb's inflected forms: practises, practised and practising.
American English uses practice for both noun and verb, with practiced and practicing as the usual inflections. That is why both spellings appear in reliable sources. Choose the convention required by your audience and keep it consistent within the document.
Use the advice-and-advise test when the grammar is unclear. If advice would fit, you need the noun practice. If advise would fit, you need the British verb practise. The pronunciation difference in advice and advise makes the grammatical role easier to hear even though practice and practise sound the same.
Forms and examples
- practice: UK noun
- Daily practice improved her accuracy.
- practise: UK base verb
- She will practise before the assessment.
- practises / practised / practising: UK verb forms
- He practised yesterday and is practising again today.
- practice / practiced / practicing: US verb forms
- She practiced yesterday and is practicing again today.
Quick test
UK English: You should ___ under timed conditions.
Check the answer
practise. The blank is a verb, so British English uses s.
UK English: Regular ___ makes the format familiar.
Check the answer
practice. The blank is a noun, so British English uses c.
UK English: She has ___ the method for a week.
Check the answer
practised. The past participle belongs to the British verb practise.
US English: She is ___ before the test.
Check the answer
practicing. American English uses practice for the verb and practicing for this form.
Related word distinctions
- affect vs effect: Affect is usually the verb (to influence); effect is usually the noun (the result).
- stationary vs stationery: Stationary (with an a) means not moving; stationery (with an e) is writing materials.
Sources checked
These distinctions are exactly what Word Meaning and Contextual Word Choice questions test. Read the Word Meaning guide or Contextual Word Choice guide, then practise the drill.