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Skills Forward website

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Hello! We'd love to hear what you thought about your visit to our website. Please click ' Next ' take you to a survey that will just take a couple of minutes to complete and your comments will help us to improve the service we provide.

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Author : Catie Holdridge

Posted : 07 / 07 / 17

Do you need to write practice or practise? The short answer is, it depends.

Many find it tricky to know when to use one or the other. So, in order for you to be able to practise using the right one every time, let's look at the facts.

Are you American?

If you're American, or you use American English, the answer is very simple: you only ever use the c-version, practice. No matter the context or the function the word has in the sentence, it's always practice.

Phew, that was easy. If that applies to you, make sure you do something useful with the time you're saving while the rest of us carry on - like practicing the banjo, perhaps.

Not American? Stay with us

If you use British English, you'll need both practice and practise, so you've got a bit more work to do here.

In short: you should use practise when you're using the verb (that is, the 'doing' word), and practice for the noun (or 'thing' word).

To practise in the UK

The verb practise means to perform in order to improve, to carry out or to be engaged in a particular occupation. So you might practise scales on the piano, or practise law after being called to the bar.

Here's a tip: if you could give it an - ed or - ing ending, or put to before it, it's the verb. (Or, as Rob, our big chief editor, puts it: 'To remember the verb, think - sed [ said] or - sing.')

He sat down to practise scales on the piano.
She has been practising law for three years.

A British practice

The noun practice can mean a rehearsal or run-through, the act of doing something or a customary action.

It can also mean an office belonging to certain professionals - such as a doctor's practice, a lawyer's practice or the dreaded dentist's practice.

Tip: if you can put a or the before it, or could reasonably substitute the word rehearsal, habit or performance, it's a noun. ( Rehearsal, habit and performance are all nouns too, you see.)

She was skilled in the practice of law.
I need a practice session before my piano recital.
It was his practice always to proofread his emails before sending them. (You could also write: It was his habit always to proofread his emails before sending them.)

C nouns and S verbs

In British English, you'll find a lot of other examples of words where the noun version is spelled with a c and the verb version with an s, such as licence/license and advice/advise.

So you might advise someone to get their driving licence before going on a road trip. Or you might license them to reprint extracts from your advice column.

There are other examples out there too. Why not make a practice of looking out for them?

Image credit: Lisa F. Young / Shutterstock

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Is it practice or practise? Get it right first time | Emphasis

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Do you need to write practice or practise? You might need either. Here's how to know which is right, whatever you're writing.

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punctuating direct speech - Google Search

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The general rules of direct speech are: Each new character's speech starts on a new line. Speech is opened with speech marks. Each line of speech starts with a capital. The line of speech ends with a comma, exclamation mark or question mark. A reporting clause is used at the end (said Jane, shouted Paul, replied Mum).

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Language Features - Definitions and effects Flashcards - Cram.com

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Study Flashcards On Language Features - Definitions and effects at Cram.com. Quickly memorize the terms, phrases and much more. Cram.com makes it easy to get the grade you want!

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From VOA Learning English, this is Everyday Grammar.

Today we will take a look at the modal verbs could have, would have and should have. These past tense modals are useful for expressing your present feelings about a past decision (or other action).

Could have, would have, and should have are sometimes called "modals of lost opportunities." They work like a grammatical time machine. The simple past just tells what happened. Past modals tell what could have, would have, and should have happened.

To form these past modals, use could, would, or should followed by have, followed by a past participle verb. Use have for all pronouns; never use has or had to form a past modal. Here are some examples:

She could have gone to any college she wanted to.

I would have gone to the party, but I was tired.

He should have told the truth about what he saw.

Each of these modals has a slightly different meaning. We'll look at each of them using examples from movies and popular songs.

​ Could have

We'll start with could have. Could have means that something was possible in the past, but it did not happen.

I could have gone directly to college, but I decided to travel for a year.

Listen to this song by 1980s teen pop star Tiffany. The singer is thinking about past possibilities with her lost love.

Could have been so beautiful

Could have been so right

Could have been my lover

Every day of my life

Native speakers often do not pronounce their past tense modals as clearly as Tiffany. Could have been usually gets contracted to could've been or even coulda' been.

Listen to Marlon Brando in the classic film "On the Waterfront." Brando's character, Terry Malloy, was once a promising young boxer.

"You don't understand. I coulda' had class. I coulda' been a contender. I could have been somebody-instead of a bum."

To form the negative with these modals, use not between could and have. Could not have means that something was impossible in the past. For example:

She could not have been on that flight because I just saw her at work.

Defense lawyers often use could not have to argue for a client's innocence.

A popular compliment in English is, "I couldn't have said it better myself." You can say this when you like the way somebody said something. It is a way to show strong agreement.
Would have
Let's move on to would have.

Would have is a bit more difficult because it has two common structures. The first is with but. I would have A, but I had to B. Use this structure to show that you wanted to do something in the past, but you could not.

I would have called, but there was no phone service.

I would have loaned you the money, but I didn't have any.

Would have also forms the result clause of a past unreal conditional. For example:

If I had known they were vegetarians, I would have made a salad.

You can always reverse conditional sentences. If would have comes first, there is no comma.

I would have made a salad if I had known they were vegetarians.

Past unreal conditionals are very complex; you can learn more about them on a previous episode of Everyday Grammar.

Usually, would have suggests a bad feeling about the past. But not always. In this song by the band Chicago, the singer is surprisingly happy that his ex-girlfriend cheated on him. Her infidelity gave him the opportunity to meet someone else. And that someone else turned out to be his true love.

If she would have been faithful

If she could have been true

Then I wouldn'ta been cheated

I would never know real love

I would've missed out on you
Should have
Finally, let's look at should have. Should have means that something did not happen, but we wish it had happened. We use should have to talk about past mistakes. A worried mother might say:

"I was so worried about you. You should have called!"

Should have is common in apologies. For example:

I'm sorry that I'm late for work. I should have woken up earlier.

You might remember Lieutenant Dan in the movie Forrest Gump. In the movie, Dan loses both of his legs in the Vietnam War. He would have died, but Forrest saved him.

Listen for should have as Dan confronts Forrest.

"You listen to me. We all have a destiny. Nothing just happens. It's all part of a plan. I should have died out there with my men. But now I'm nothing but a cripple!"

Should have can be used in a light-hearted way. In this song, country singer Toby Keith imagines how exciting his life would be if he had chosen to be a cowboy.

I should've been a cowboy

I should've learned to rope and ride

Wearing my six-shooter

Riding my pony on a cattle drive

I couldn't have said it better myself. As you can see, these modals of lost opportunities offer a colorful way to talk about past choices.

That's all for this week. Join us next week for more Everyday Grammar.

I'm John Russell.

And I'm Dr. Jill Robbins.
​Now it's your turn. Leave us example sentence. What is something you could have / should have / would have done in the past? Adam Brock wrote this article for VOA Learning English. Hai Do was the editor.

​

Words in This Story

modal verb - n. a verb (such as can, could, shall, should, ought to, will, or would) that is usually used with another verb to express ideas such as possibility, necessity, and permission

contender - n. a person who tries to win something in a game or competition

bum - n. a person who is lazy or who does something badly

compliment - n. a comment that says something good about someone or something

vegetarian - n. a person who does not eat meat

infidelity - n. the act or fact of having a romantic or sexual relationship with someone other than your husband, wife, or partner

confront - v. to oppose someone, especially in a direct and forceful way

cripple - n. a person who cannot move or walk normally because of a permanent injury or other physical problem

six-shooter - n. a kind of gun (called a revolver) that can hold six bullets (often used to describe guns used in the old American West)

cattle drive - n. the process of moving cows from one place to another

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Today we will take a look at the modal verbs could have, would have and should have. These past tense modals are useful for expressing your present feelings about a past decision (or other action).

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Multiple Resources To Develop Writing Skills

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Multiple Resources To Develop Writing Skills

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University of Leicester Website

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Develop your writing - University of Leicester

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This is where you'll find all our resources on writing skills. You can access the full list below, or if you're working on an essay, why not take the Writing essays tour, which provides additional advice and guidance? In addition, you might also find it helpful to attend a related workshop or come to see us for a consultation.

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Learn how to improve your use of plurals with these English skills resources, videos and games designed for adults who want to improve their literacy skills, as well as basic skills tutors and teachers.

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Choose the right greeting and sign off | Oxford Dictionaries

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Here are some suggestions about how to start and end your letters on a strong note.

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Resources to help you develop your spelling skills.

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Useful techniques to help with your spelling using memory aids, plurals, common letter patterns, prefixes and suffixes and root words.

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Persuasive language is used for many reasons, for example, to help to sell products or services, or to convince people to accept a view or idea. Politicians often use persuasive techniques to get their audience to agree with their views on a particular topic. Persuasive language is a very powerful tool for getting what you want.

Here are some types of persuasive techniques and examples of how they can be used:

Thinking about what an opposing writer may say and providing a counter argument can be very powerful and will make your own point appear stronger.

William Wallace led the Scottish rebellion against Edward I in the fourteenth century. His exploits were made into the film Braveheart . In this extract from his speech for freedom, think about his overall purpose and how is he trying to convince his audience in a certain way.

I am William Wallace. And I see a whole army of my countrymen, here in defiance of tyranny! You have come to fight as free men. And free men you are! What will you do without freedom? Will you fight? Yes! Fight and you may die. Run and you will live at least awhile. And dying in your bed many years from now, would you be willing to trade all the days from this day to that for one chance, just one chance, to come back here as young men and tell our enemies that they may take our lives but they will never take our freedom!

William uses plenty of personal pronouns ('I, you, our') to make the audience feel as though he is speaking to them on an individual level. The repeated use of 'free' emphasises the overall topic of his speech, and the benefit to the people listening. He repeatedly uses questions, one after the other to impact on the audience - they feel that they must fight to protect their freedom. The closing sentence is highly ; he uses the word 'freedom' to leave the overall message with his audience to consider for themselves.

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Persuasive devices - Literary techniques - GCSE English Language Revision - BBC Bitesize

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Persuasive language is used for many reasons, for example, to help to sell products or services, or to convince people to accept a view or idea. Politicians often use persuasive techniques to get their audience to agree with their views on a particular topic. Persuasive language is a very powerful tool for getting what you want.

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to express beliefs about the present or future

to talk about what people want to do or are willing to do

to make promises, offers and requests.

is the past tense form of will. Because it is a past tense, it is used:

to talk about the past

to talk about hypotheses (when we imagine something)

for politeness.

Beliefs

We use would as the past of will, to describe past beliefs about the future:

I thought we would be late, so we would have to take the train.

Willingness

to talk about what people want to do or are willing to do:

to talk about typical behaviour, things that we often do (because we are willing to do them):

We always spend our holidays at our favourite hotel at the seaside. We'll get up early every morning and have a quick breakfast then we'll go across the road to the beach.

We use would as the past tense of will:

to talk about what people wanted to do or were willing to do in the past:

to talk about typical behaviour, things that we often did (because we were willing to do them) in the past:

When they were children they used to spend their holidays at their grandmother's at the seaside. They'd get up early every morning and have a quick breakfast. Then they'd run across the road to the beach.

Promises, offers and requests

I'll give youa lift home after the party.
We'll come and see you next week.
Level: intermediate
Hypotheses and conditionals

We use will in conditionals to say what we think will happen in the present or future:

when we imagine a situation:

I would give her a call if I could find her number.
If I had the money, I'd buy a new car.
Youwould lose weight if you took more exercise.
If he got a new job, hewould probably make more money.
What if he lost his job? Whatwould happen then?

We also use conditionals to give advice :

Past tenses are more polite:

See also: Verbs in time clauses and conditionals
Level: beginner
Expressions with would

We use:

Would you carry this for me, please?
Would you mind carrying this?
Would you mind not telling him until tomorrow?

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to express beliefs about the present or future to talk about what people want to do or are willing to do to make promises, offers and requests. is the past tense form of will . Because it is a past tense, it is used: to talk about the past to talk about hypotheses (when we imagine something) for politeness.

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English Grammar Rules

The Difference between To, Too and Two is frequently confused in English, sometimes even for native speakers.

Why? Because they are homophones, words that have the same pronunciation but have a different spelling and meaning.

Sometimes To, Too and Two can all be used in the same sentence. While they all sound the same, it is in the context that you can understand the meaning.
Examples:

It was too late to buy two bottles of water.

Don't take too long as there are two other people who wantto use the internet.

Video Explanation

Below we have included different meanings and uses for each one:

TO

Can be used as a preposition of movement or direction. It indicates the place you arrive at as a result of moving.

I will take a taxi to the airport.

We are going to the stadium tonight.

The train to Montreal leaves in twenty minutes.

What is the quickest way to the beach?

From X to Y: To refers to the end point of a time period.

The office is open from 8.30am to 6.30pm.

She works from 9 to 5.

Note: when we do NOT have the starting time, we use until.

Today I think I'll only work until 5.

It identifies the person or thing affected or receiving something

I gave a present to my friend Paulina.

Can you give my keys to Jack?

They were not very nice to him.

Can be used to show a change of state, condition or quality

We waited for the traffic lights to change from red to green.

She tore the letter to pieces.

Can be used as the first part of an infinitive (To + Verb = Infinitive). Notice when two verbs are together, the second verb is in the infinitive form (except Modal verbs and To Be)

Next year I want to spend six months in Europe.

He needs to study more.

TOO

Can be used before an adjective or an adverb for reinforcement to mean ' very' or ' more than...'

This dress is too big for me. (too + adjective)

He was driving too fast so the police gave him a fine. (too + adverb)

Can be used as an adverb to mean 'also' or ' in addition'

She has been to Switzerland too. (= also)

I was very tired last night and my friend was too. (= also)

Too much and Too many refer to an excessive amount of something.

Too much (+ uncountable noun)
Too many (+ plural noun)

Sorry, I can't go. I have too much work to do.

There were too many people in the room.

I have eaten too much. (= too much food)

See our notes about Too vs Very vs Enough

TWO

Only used as a number. Two = 2
Examples:

There are two cars in the car park.

I can speak two languages, English and Spanish.

Summary Chart

Next activity

Try our interactive game about Two - Too - To

Read our notes about the difference between Too, Very and Enough

English Teacher Resources

We have the following activities for parents and ELA / ESL teachers:

If you found this grammar guide about the difference between TO, TOO and TWO in English useful, let others know about it:

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Difference between TO, TOO and TWO in English - Grammar and Vocabulary Rules

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The Difference between To, Too and Two is frequently confused in English, sometimes even for native speakers. Why? Because they are homophones, words that have the same pronunciation but have a different spelling and meaning. Sometimes To, Too and Two can all be used in the same sentence.

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There Their They're difference - English Grammar

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The difference between There, Their and They're in English

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Language Questions

Do you have questions about the English language, dictionaries, or vocabulary - or any random questions you want to ask! You've come to the right place.

Word Lists

Useful crossword answers, words which break common spelling rules, or unusual words to impress your friends: this page has the word lists you're looking for.

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What is the origin of 'quiz'? Where did we get the term 'flea market'? If you've ever asked similar questions, you'll enjoy these word and phrase origins.

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Explore The English Language | Lexico.com

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Do you have questions about the English language, dictionaries, or vocabulary - or any random questions you want to ask! You've come to the right place. Useful crossword answers, words which break common spelling rules, or unusual words to impress your friends: this page has the word lists you're looking for.

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A verb ending in -ing is either a present participle or a gerund. These two forms look identical. The difference is in their functions in a sentence. Present participles A present participle is most commonly used as part of the continuous form of a verb, after verbs of perception, after verbs of movement, or as an adjective.

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Subjects verbs must AGREE with one another innumber (singular or plural).Thus, if a subject is singular, its verb must also be singular; if a subject is plural, its verb must also be plural.

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BBC - KS3 Bitesize English - Argue, persuade and advise : Revision

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A key stage 3 revision and recap resource for english, covering writing, argument, persuasion and advising.

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Contractions - English Grammar Today - Cambridge Dictionary

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Contractions - English Grammar Today - a reference to written and spoken English grammar and usage - Cambridge Dictionary

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Using Definite and Indefinite Articles In English

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Using Definite and Indefinite Articles In English

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http://www.talkenglish.com/grammar/articles.aspx

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Articles - Indefinite and Definite Articles - Basic English Grammar

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Learn the basics of indefinite articels and definite articles for English grammar.

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Level 2 Edexcel Writing Practice Test  On Screen

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Level 2 Edexcel Writing Practice Test  On Screen

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http://www1.edexcel.org.uk/fs-onscreen-sams2/w2/

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Level 1 Edexcel  Writing Practice Test On Screen

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Level 1 Edexcel  Writing Practice Test On Screen

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http://www1.edexcel.org.uk/fs-onscreen-sams2/w1/index.html

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Formal and informal language - English Grammar Today - Cambridge Dictionary

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Formal and informal language - English Grammar Today - a reference to written and spoken English grammar and usage - Cambridge Dictionary

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home: login to the site: login to the site

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Home: Login to the site: Login to the site

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Tips and writing frames.

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This  guide will show you the areas that are looked at when your written work is marked by the examiner.

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This resource contains a writing frame so you can practise writing a formal letter.

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Common Mistakes In English Writing Exams

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Common Mistakes In English Writing Exams

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Common Mistakes Made in English Writing Exams

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Editing And Proofreading Your Written Work

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Editing And Proofreading Your Written Work

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BBC - Skillswise - Level 1 factsheets and worksheets

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English Exam Podcast - Functional Skills English

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How To Write A Letter And How To Write An Email

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A video that gives helpful tips on how to write a letter and an email.

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Level 1 factsheets and worksheets.

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Level 1 factsheets and worksheets

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BBC - Skillswise - Level 1 factsheets and worksheets

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A short video that gives you step-by-step instructions on how to write a formal letter.

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Formal Letter Structure - GCSE English Language

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Resources on how to write letters and emails for different purposes.