It is often difficult to spell words that end in -ise or -ice. For example, is it practise or practice?

 

Many -ise and -ice words can function as both nouns and verbs, and sometimes (but not always!) this affects how they are spelt.

 

You must practise your violin tonight. (verb)

What time does choir practice start? (noun)

 

 

The same rule applies for advise/advice and devise/device, although the nouns and verbs are pronounced slightly differently in these examples anyway.

 

Some words are spelt -ice whether they are nouns or verbs.

These include:

sacrifice

suffice

invoice

slice

 

 

There are also a number of words that are spelt -ise whether they are nouns or verbs.

These include:

promise

surprise

disguise

exercise

 

 

Just to make matters even more complicated, a number of these words are spelt differently in American English, but we will concentrate on British English in this activity!

 

 

Are you ready to get started?