So, in this blog, we'll dive into the distinction between "practice" as a noun and "practise" as a verb, unveiling how these words are used in everyday speech and writing. Plus, we’ll explore how this difference compares to American English, where things are a little more streamlined.
By the end, you’ll be confidently using these terms like a pro!
Understanding "practice" as a noun
In British English, "practice" is always used as a noun referring to various use cases, including:
To describe a repeated exercise: Practice can refer to doing something repeatedly to improve a skill or ability. Here are a few examples of sentences showcasing "practice" in this context: "She did a lot of practice to perfect her guitar playing," "He did more practice to become a better cook".
To describe a custom or a habit: Practice can refer to a repeated action or behaviour done with a sense of consistency, whether it's a personal habit or a social, cultural, or religious custom; it's widely observed within a community or society (Here are a few examples: "It’s a common practice to start meetings with an introduction," "It's a common religious practice to read the Bible each day," "Feudalism was a typical medieval practice").
To run a professional business, a practice can describe the professional services of a doctor, lawyer, accountant, etc. (Here are some examples: "He has a clinical practice in town," "I know a good doctor's practice," "The lawyer's practice down the road has a bad reputation." ).
Application: By "putting something into practice", you're using or implementing something in a real-world context (e.g., "Put theory into practice.").
At this point, it's worth highlighting that the phrase "best practice" is widely used in professional contexts to describe the most effective methods or preferred procedures. Whether in business, healthcare, education, etc., "best practice" is always spelt with a "c" in British English. For example, "It's best practice to regularly update the company's security system."
Alternatively, if there's more than one "best practice," you should use the plural "best practices"—this refers to more than one recommended method. A good example of how to use the phrase "best practices" in a sentence is: "We follow industry best practices."
Similarly, in education, "teaching practice" refers to the practical experience trainee teachers get in the classroom. Again, it’s spelt with a "c" because it’s a noun. Trainee teachers undergo this period of hands-on experience to build their skills in real-world settings.
Practicing or Practising? When to use these words
In UK English, "practising" (with an "s") is the correct spelling when used as a verb. Not "practicing." Below are a few examples of different contexts in which "practising" can be used:
Performing a skill or activity regularly:
- "She is practising her violin every day."
- "He spends hours practising his golf swing."
Engaging in a profession or occupation:
- "She is practising as a lawyer in London."
- "After medical school, he started practising as a doctor."
Rehearsing or preparing for something:
- "They are practising for their performance in the school play."
The verb "practise" in UK English
Now let’s talk about "practise"—the verb form. In UK English, "practise" is used when talking about the action of performing or repeating something to improve a skill.
For example:
- "She practises the piano every day." Here, "practises" refers to the action of repeated learning.
Another example:
- "He is a practising doctor" refers to someone actively working in their profession.
A final example:
- "I practise law."
UK vs US English: A key distinction
While UK English keeps "practice" as a noun and "practise" as a verb, American English simplifies things by using "practice" for both. So whether you’re talking about a thing or an action, "practice" is the word to use in the US.
For example, in American English:
- "He practices medicine" and "He runs a medical practice" both use "practice" regardless of whether it’s a noun or a verb.
Practice vs Practise: Memory aids to help you remember the difference
As mentioned above, in British English, "practice" with a "c" is a noun, and "practise" with an "s" is a verb—the difference just one letter makes is pivotal!
To remember the difference, think of the "C" standing for something concrete - in other words, a thing. This practical memory aid can help you recall the correct usage of 'practice' as a noun.
Example: "Her medical practice is well-known."
Meanwhile, for "practise" as a verb, think of the "S" as standing for "Doing Something."
Example: "I need to practise my speech."
Practice or practise? Our final thoughts
By mastering the difference between 'practice' and 'practise', you can significantly enhance the clarity and precision of your writing, empowering you to communicate your ideas effectively.
To sum up, In UK English, remember that practice is a noun and practise is a verb, while in the US, "practice" covers both. With this distinction in mind, you’ll be well-equipped to use these words correctly in your content!
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