Understanding the difference between practising vs practicing is a simple yet important part of the English language that often confuses many.
In this post, we will explore the distinction between practising and practicing, focusing on making such language rules clearer and easier for you and your child.
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ToggleThe Difference Between Practicing Vs. Practising
The difference between “practising” and “practicing” might seem small, but it’s significant in the context of the English language. In British English, these variations primarily revolve around the usage of “practice” as a noun and “practise” as a verb.
Practice As A Noun
In British English, “practice” (spelled with a “c”) functions solely as a noun. It covers a range of significant uses such as:
- The actual application, belief, methods, or use of an idea rather than just theoretical concepts.
- Habitual or customary rituals, procedures, or ways of performing activities
- Assessment exercises done repetitively to become proficient in a particular subject.
Practise As A Verb
On the other hand, “practise” (spelt with an “s”) assumes the role of a verb. It’s used when:
- Describing the act of performing an activity regularly to become proficient
- Doing something regularly or habitually.
Examples Of Practising And Practicing

To gain a clearer understanding of how “practice” and “practise” is employed in English composition, let’s explore practical examples:
- Doing practice papers can help students to become familiar with their exam requirements.
Here, “practice” serves as a noun, signifying the assessment work that is being done.
- To become a skilled painter, Emily must practise her brush strokes daily.
In this instance, “practise” takes on the verb form, emphasising Emily’s regular and intentional action in honing her brush strokes. She engages in this activity daily to improve her painting skills.
More Examples
Let’s put more of your knowledge to the test to determine if you’ve truly grasped the distinction between “practice” and “practise.” Let’s engage in a short quiz:
- The doctor recommended (practising or practicing) mindfulness to help reduce stress.
- Getting more (Practise or Practice) is needed to improve your skills at driving
- To improve her French, Anna is (practising or practicing) speaking with a native tutor twice weekly.
- Are you coming to soccer (practise or practice) this week?
So, did you select the correct option in each sentence? Let’s review your answers:
- The doctor recommended practising mindfulness to help reduce stress.
In this sentence, “practising” is used as a verb, emphasising the action of regularly engaging in mindfulness exercises to alleviate stress. The word “practising” highlights the effort required to incorporate mindfulness into one’s daily stress-reduction routine.
- Getting more practice is needed to improve your skills at driving
In the sentence, “practice” is used as a noun form, referring to the act of repeated exercise to get better at a skill
- To improve her French, Anna is practising speaking with a native tutor twice a week.
In this example, “practising” serves as a verb, signifying Anna’s regular and intentional effort to enhance her French language skills by conversing with a native tutor. The word “practising” underscores her dedication to improving her spoken French.
- Are you coming to soccer practice this week?
In the statement, the term “practice” functions as a noun form, referring to the soccer training is going to be conducted.
Conclusion: Practising Vs. Practicing
In conclusion, understanding the distinction between “practising” and “practicing” is crucial when writing English compositions.
So, whether it’s for academic excellence or better communication skills, mastering these forms is essential for students, parents, and anyone seeking proficiency in writing.
DO Applied Learning by Epoch Talent Academy is one of the best English tuition providers in Singapore. We specialise in equipping your child with the tools and values to navigate this journey effectively.
Interested in learning more topics? Check out our articles on Situational Writing, Show Not Tell, Visual Text Comprehension, Primary English Grammar, and more!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Practising Vs. Practicing
What Common Verbs Are Similar To “Practise” That Change In British English?
In British English, there are several verbs similar to “practise” that follow the same pattern of using “s” instead of “c” in their verb forms. Some common examples include “advice” (verb: advise), “device” (verb: devise), “licence” (verb: license), and “notice” (verb: notify).
Can You Recommend Any Tips Or Strategies For Remembering When To Use “Practice” And “Practise” Correctly?
A helpful strategy to remember the difference is to link ‘practise’ with other verbs that end in ‘-ise’, like ‘realise’ and ‘categorise’. Since these are actions, it can remind you that ‘practise’ is also a verb.
Conversely, when using the word ‘practice’, you can associate it with the word ‘service.’ They both end in ‘ice’ and both nouns. Additionally, remember that ‘practice’ as a noun often pairs with articles like ‘a’ or ‘the’, which can be a helpful clue.
Do Other Varieties Of English, Like American English, Follow The Same Rules For “Practice” And “Practise”?
No, other varieties of English, such as American English, do not follow the same rules for “practice” and “practise.” In American English, “practice” is used for both the noun and verb forms, eliminating the need for “practise” with an “s.”
Are There Any Exceptions To The “Practice” And “Practise” Rules?
British English has no exceptions to the rule for ‘practice’ and ‘practise’. The usage is consistent: ‘practice’ with a ‘c’ for nouns and ‘practise’ with an ‘s’ for verbs. However, it’s always important to consider the context of the sentence to determine which form is appropriate.