Now, if you write in American English, don't start taking notes. It's irrelevant to that dialect, excluding one fact near the end. This chapter is for British English. Despite the fact that this is not directed at all speakers of the English language, I, personally, deem British English "proper" and would like to preach the difference between practise and practice.
First, I suppose it would be wise to review the difference between a noun and a verb, because the last thing I want to do is have to explain this very simple question multiple times. Moreover, it's better to have it here than to have people not understanding, simply nodding their heads because they do not want to appear stupid, or whatever the case may be.
Noun is a person, place, or thing. Following that logic, television is a noun, park is a noun, and Aunt Sue is a noun.
On the other hand, a verb is an action word. Say it with me kids. Jumping, climbing, spitting, and whatever else you do in your spare time are all verbs. However, as Leonardo Da Vinci said, "There is visible labour, and there is invisible labour." That is to say that other things may be verbs, too, even though you can't see them in action, such as thinking and digesting.
To be put simply, while practise is a verb, practice is a noun. So, doctors practise their practice.
However, that is only a one letter difference. Surely it is easy to confuse. In fact, I had found this mistake in an earlier draft of a chapter, which is what inspired me to make this one. To remember how the two differ, I will create a mnemonic for you. You're welcome.
You may or may not have heard of concrete nouns before. If you have, great; this mnemonic may work. Concrete noun starts with a C. You find C in practice, which is a noun. You can otherwise remember this by thinking of how one typically can see nouns; however, there are invisible forms of labour that make it impossible to see many verbs.
As far as American English goes, practice is both a verb and a noun. However, it's imperative that, if you type in that dialect, you refrain from using the British practise. Consistency is key.
Now, let's practice what we've learnt and get it right!
YOU ARE READING
The Grammar Nazi Handbook
Non-FictionThis is going to work as follows: I go on Wattpad in a bad-ish mood. I will see multiple grammar mistakes; that's inevitable. Then, I can rant about common/proper usage in this very book. This is going to be fun.
