Practice / Practise

[Pavlovthecat]

When is either used?

I ask because I ran a group session on tuesday and one of the aims of the session was

To practise xxx

and was told this was incorrect, and that this is an americanism.

My understanding that 'to practise' as in to repeat something until you get better at it, is spelt as such, and 'the practice of' as in the doing of, or an organisation such as a Dr's practice is spelt accordingly.

Which is correct?

[policywonk]

I think you're right! Perhaps the person got confused because in the US, they use 'practise' as both verb and noun - perhaps your corrector thought that all use of 'practise' is American?

[McDreamy]

Practise is a verb, (I was always taught to call it a silly verb and hence remember the "s" instead of the "c") and practice is as you say Dr's practice/dental practice

[Pavlovthecat]

oh good. I am glad I am right!

[colditz]

You practise dentistry at the dental practice.

[Biccy]

I remember it via advise and advice. Works well for license and licence as well.

[Pavlovthecat]

Colditz - exactly. That's right then? Good. I don't want the offenders I am rehabilitating to have the upper hand! .

I told them I was right but would look it up and take it back to them for next group. Probably would have 'forgotten' if I was wrong!

[tortoiseSHELL]

Yes, advise/advice is perfect. When I taught music in a posh school, I had to write practise/practice on just about every report - and was VERY grateful when a colleague told me this, as it saved every report being sent back.

SO - one of the aims of the session was to advise - you wouldn't aim to advice, so it is practise.

You practise the piano, but you do piano practice.

[ja9]

i really really struggle with this too - advise , advice should def help me. thanks!

[Pavlovthecat]

tortoiseSHELL - thats a good way of remembering it. I never had an issue with advice/advise, possibly because the emphasis is different on each, unlike practice/practise.

[UnquietDad]

You were right. If there is one thing guaranteed to boil my pedant-piss more than people getting things wrong, it's people telling me I am wrong when they are the ignorant bugger who doesn't know any better! I've even had my correct English butchered in the past by stupid editors who thought they were "correcting" me...