British English
A2–B2
6 min read
Updated 9 June 2026
Quick Answer
In British English: Practice (noun): daily practice, a medical practice, out of practice. Practise (verb): practise the piano, practise speaking. In American English: practice is used for both. On this site we use British spelling.
The practice / practise pair is one of the most frequently misspelled word pairs in British English, partly because American English uses practice for both forms, and partly because the difference is invisible in speech — both spellings are pronounced the same way. The rule itself is simple: in British English, -ce marks the noun and -se marks the verb.
British English Rule
| Form | Spelling | Part of speech | Example |
|---|
| British noun | practice | noun | daily practice, a medical practice |
| British verb | practise | verb | practise speaking, she practises |
| American (both) | practice | noun & verb | daily practice; to practice daily |
Memory Trick
The same -ce/-se pattern applies to advice (noun) and advise (verb). If you remember "advice / advise," you have the pattern for "practice / practise" too. -c for noun, -s for verb.
Practice (Noun)
Practice (with a c) is the noun. It has several meanings:
- Repeated exercise to improve a skill: Regular practice makes perfect.
- A professional establishment: a dental practice, a GP practice, a law practice.
- A customary way of doing something: best practice, common practice, standard practice.
She needs more practice before the concert.
He runs a busy medical practice.
It is standard practice to check the contract first.
I am out of practice — I haven’t played in months.
Practise (Verb)
Practise (with an s) is the verb. It means to perform an activity repeatedly in order to improve, or to work in a profession.
You should practise speaking English every day.
She practises the violin for two hours every morning.
He practises as a solicitor in London.
We need to practise the dialogue before the lesson.
The Substitution Test
If you are unsure whether to use practice or practise, try replacing the word with another noun or verb pair:
- Replace with a clear noun like advice. If it fits as a noun, use practice.
- Replace with a clear verb like advise. If it fits as a verb, use practise.
She needs more practice. → She needs more advice. (noun → practice)
She should practise more. → She should advise more. (verb → practise)
Common Mistakes in British English
She must practise more if she wants to improve. — practise is misspelled as practice:
She must practice more if she wants to improve. (‘practice’ used as verb — wrong in British English)
She must practise more if she wants to improve. (verb = practise in British English)
Daily practise is essential.
Daily practice is essential. (noun = practice with c)
American English: No Distinction
In American English, practice is used for both the noun and the verb:
She needs more practice. (AmE noun)
She should practice more. (AmE verb)
This is why the confusion arises: American English does not make the spelling distinction, so learners exposed to American texts may use practice as a verb in British English contexts, which is considered incorrect in British English exams and writing.
The Full -ce / -se Family
| Noun (-ce) | Verb (-se) | Meaning |
|---|
| practice | practise | repeated exercise / to exercise |
| advice | advise | recommendation / to recommend |
| device | devise | instrument / to plan or invent |
| licence | license | permit / to give permission |
Related Grammar Topics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between practice and practise?
In British English, practice (with a c) is the noun: daily practice, out of practice, a medical practice. Practise (with an s) is the verb: practise speaking, she practises the piano. In American English, practice is used for both the noun and the verb, so no distinction is made. This site uses British spelling.
How do I remember which spelling to use?
Use the advice/advise parallel: advice (noun, -ce) and advise (verb, -se) follow exactly the same pattern as practice (noun, -ce) and practise (verb, -se). If you can remember that advice is a noun and advise is a verb, the same rule applies to practice and practise. Alternatively, substitute noun or verb and check: if it acts like the noun "advice," it's practice; if it acts like the verb "advise," it's practise.
Is "practice" ever used as a verb in British English?
No. In British English, practice is always the noun and practise is always the verb. Using practice as a verb ("she must practice more") is considered an error in British English writing and in exams such as IELTS, A-level, and GCSE. American English does use practice as a verb, which is why the confusion arises. If you are writing for a British English audience, always use practise for the verb form.
What does "a medical practice" mean?
A medical practice (noun, spelled with -ce) is a professional establishment where doctors, dentists, or other healthcare professionals work. For example: a GP practice (general practitioner's surgery), a dental practice, a specialist medical practice. The word "practice" here refers to the professional business or place of work, not to repeated exercise. This is a completely separate meaning from "practice" meaning rehearsal or repeated exercise.
What does "out of practice" mean?
Out of practice (noun, -ce) is an idiom meaning you have not done something for a long time and have lost some of your skill or fluency: I haven't played the piano in years — I'm completely out of practice. It implies that with regular practice (repeated exercise), your skills can be restored. The opposite is "in practice" or "well-practised," though the more common expression is simply that you practice regularly.
What does "in theory vs in practice" mean?
"In theory vs in practice" is a common idiomatic contrast meaning the difference between how something should work in principle versus how it actually works in real situations. "In practice" (noun, -ce) means in reality, in actual use: In theory, the plan is simple; in practice, it is much more complicated. This is always the noun form, and it is spelled with a c in both British and American English.
Does "practise" change spelling in different forms?
Yes. As a regular verb, practise changes as follows: practise (base form), practises (third person singular), practised (past simple and past participle), practising (present participle). She practises every morning. They practised for three hours. We have been practising since Tuesday. In American English, the same forms apply but are spelled with -c-: practice, practices, practiced, practicing.
Can "practise" mean working in a profession?
Yes. In British English, practise (verb) can also mean to work professionally in a field: She practises as a barrister. He has been practising medicine for twenty years. The related noun is practice: She has her own legal practice. This usage distinguishes a professional from someone who is merely studying or training — a qualified professional practises their profession.
Is "best practice" a noun or verb form?
Best practice is a noun phrase (noun form, spelled with -ce). It refers to the most effective, accepted, or recommended method of doing something in a given field: industry best practice, best practice guidelines, following best practice. It is always spelled with a c in all varieties of English. You would not say "best practise" — this would be incorrect even in British English.
Which spelling should I use for IELTS?
IELTS accepts both British and American English spelling consistently throughout your writing. However, you must be consistent — do not mix both within the same piece of writing. For British spelling: use practice (noun) and practise (verb). For American spelling: use practice for both. Since IELTS is a British English exam and most official materials use British spelling, practising British spelling is recommended, but American spelling is accepted if used consistently.