Practice or practise?

[boognish76]

My co-worker insists that 'practice' is the correct UK spelling for the verb with 'practise' being the US spelling. I thought it was the other way 'round, though I admit that I use 'practice' - I just thought it was another example of US spelling becoming common.....erm.....practice! Can anyone set me (or my co-worker!) straight?

[ravenhair]

Here's the deal: British English is "practice" for the noun and "practise" for the verb. American English has "practice" for both. Similarly (but not entirely), British English has "licence" for the noun and "license" for the verb. American English has "license" for both. I haven't come across any evidence at all that we are adopting the American spelling . . . sorry, I think you've just been spelling it wrong!

[ravenhair]

Er, Einstein, that's what I said. "It was his practice..." is the noun, "they practise Christianity" is the verb. It's nothing to do with the semantic difference, but rather the syntactic one. And I write dictionaries, so I do know what I'm talking about . . .

[sft42]

Surely the biggest point here is what's happened to spellmaster????? Or has he decided that when someone has an enquiry that's should be right up his alley he has nothing to say. Come on spelly!!

[LynneMcF]

Best way I know to remember the correct spelling is to compare to the words "advice" and "advise". If you would say "I need some advice" then it should be "I need some practice." If you say "The man will advise." then it is the other spelling, "The man will practise." This helps for those of us who can't tell their nouns from their verbs.

[boognish76]

I know the noun is spelt with a 'c' as I work in the NHS and I must see the words 'general practice' a kajillion times a day! Thanks for all your help on the verb - i'd fogotton about licence/license, advice/advise - it seems fairly straightforward when you remember those. However, typing this reply has brought up another problem for me - is it 'spelt' or 'spelled'?!!

[ravenhair]

Both spelled and spelt are Standard English; however spelled is used more frequently. I have several books of frequency tables for words like these (thrilling reading, yes, I know) so just ask if you have any more questions . . .

[honkytonkman]

I was always told by my English teachers that the way to remember it is to recite 'S is the verb, C is the noun'.

[Chinajan]

Spellmaster has not posted much since we had that thread about him/her, although he/she received some support. Must have taken the huff (now there's a phrase) Regarding verbs/nouns, I notice many people have trouble with effect/affect. Not quite the same as practice/practise, because the former can be both and noun. Perhaps our dictionary expert can couch it in more lucid terms than I. And don't start me on "haitch" for "aitch", or "would of" for "would have". That's another topic.

[Chinajan]

Forgive omission. "both verb and noun" intended.. Why no preview on this site?

[ravenhair]

Right, effect/affect. Basically, effect is the noun (eg "to have an effect on") and affect is the verb (eg "this didn't affect us"). However, effect does have a verb sense, meaning "bring about" or "cause", as in "the new law effected many changes".

[mug of tea]

So, all you lexicographers, is it alright to say different to or should it always be different from?