Mnemonic Device
- To distinguish between PRACTISE (verb) and PRACTICE (noun) think of ADVISE and ADVICE. To ADVISE is the verb, so PRACTISE is the verb.
Variations
- Just remember that ICE is a noun and ISE is a verb.
- PractiSe - verb, spelled with an "S." S is for sports.
- PractICE - I went to the doctor’s practice, and he put ice on my leg. "Ice" is in practice.
Explanation
This is a mnemonic to help you distinguish PRACTICE (the noun) from PRACTISE (the verb)*. Compare it to a pair that's never confused: ADVICE (noun) and ADVISE (verb). Since "to ADVISE" is the verb, "to PRACTISE" is the verb too - and since "ADVICE" is the noun, "PRACTICE" is the noun. The variations below offer other angles on the same C/S split: "ICE" (noun) vs. "ISE" (verb), or S for "Sports" and "ice" for what a doctor's practICE might use on your leg.
*This is true outside of the United States, where "practice" is used for both.