Published on
July 1, 2024
by
Julia Merkus, MA.
Revised on
December 16, 2025
Practise and practice are two spellings of the same verb meaning “engage in something professionally” or “train by repetition.” The spelling depends on whether you’re using American or British English.
Practice is also used as a noun meaning “training” or “the application of a method.” It can also be used to refer to the business of a lawyer or doctor. The noun is always spelled with a “c.”
In British English, “practise” is used as a verb and “practice” as a noun.
In American English, “practice” is used as both the verb and noun. “Practise” is never correct.
A Quillbot grammar check can help you use either American or British English consistently.
Examples: Practise or practice in a sentenceJudy practises/practices law at a prestigious firm in the city.
I’m sure you’ll learn how to crochet. You just have to practise/practice.
I’ll see you tomorrow at baseball practice
Leonard spends 50 hours a week at his doctor’s practice in Boston.
Published on
July 1, 2024
by
Julia Merkus, MA.
Revised on
December 16, 2025
The choice between “labor” and “labour” depends on the dialect of English you are using: use “labor” in American English and “labour” in British English. Both spellings refer to the same concept of physical or mental effort or to the process of childbirth. The spelling depends on the type of English you use.
It’s important to choose one spelling and use it consistently. A Quillbot grammar check can help you with this.
Examples: Labor or labour in a sentenceA week’s labor/labour should be enough to finish up the renovation.
Maddie knew she was in labor/labour when the contractions began to speed up.
Cleo and I labored/laboured to fix the broken wall.
Stop laboring/labouring the point! You’re driving me crazy!
Labor or labour is often preceded by an adjective (e.g., “manual labor/labour,” “hard labor/labour”).
Published on
July 1, 2024
by
Julia Merkus, MA.
Revised on
December 16, 2025
Favour and favor are two ways of spelling the noun used to refer to an act of kindness or to mean “approval.” It can also be used as a verb to mean “prefer.” The spelling depends on the type of English you use.
In British English, “favour” is standard.
In American English, “favor” is correct.
It’s important to choose one type of English and use it consistently. The Quillbot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
Examples: Favour or favor in a sentenceSarah asked her friend for a favour/favor, hoping he would have some good advice.
My manager seems to favour/favor innovative projects that impact the organization.
The politician promised to work in the public’s favour/favor.
“Advice” and “advise” are often confused but serve different grammatical roles that impact sentence clarity.
Advice” is a noun referring to guidance or recommendations, while “advise” is a verb meaning to give that guidance, with a helpful pronunciation distinction (“ice” vs. “wise”).
Simple explanations and examples make it easy to choose the correct form and improve accuracy in everyday writing.
Published on
July 1, 2024
by
Julia Merkus, MA.
Revised on
December 16, 2025
Judgment and judgement are two ways of spelling the same noun, which means “opinion,” “the act of forming an opinion,” or “the ability to form an opinion.”
Published on
July 1, 2024
by
Julia Merkus, MA.
Revised on
December 16, 2025
Defence and defense are two ways of spelling the same noun, which is used to refer to the legal plea of someone on trial for a crime, to a sports tactic used to prevent the other team from scoring, and to the act of protecting something.
The spelling depends on the type of English you use.
In British English, “defence” is standard.
In American English, “defense” is the only correct spelling.
It’s important to choose one spelling and use it consistently. The Quillbot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
Examples: Defence vs defenseCarl was granted a new trial after his defence/defense was deemed incompetent.
I was rooting for the defence/defense to stop the opponent from scoring.
Lorelei came to her friend’s defence/defense when he was accused of shoplifting.
Published on
July 1, 2024
by
Julia Merkus, MA.
Revised on
April 22, 2026
Travelling and traveling are both correct spellings of the present participle and gerund of the verb “travel,” which means “go from one place to another.”
Published on
July 1, 2024
by
Julia Merkus, MA.
Revised on
December 16, 2025
Kneeled and knelt are two ways of spelling the past tense and past participle of the verb “kneel,” which means “to place one or both knees on the ground.” People often kneel to respect or worship an entity, which makes it similar to genuflecting.
In American English, “knelt” and “kneeled” are both used, but “knelt” is preferred.
In British English, “knelt” is standard.
It’s important to choose one spelling and use it consistently. The Quillbot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
Examples: Kneeled or knelt in a sentenceDamian kneeled/knelt to pick up the wallet that someone dropped.
Published on
July 1, 2024
by
Julia Merkus, MA.
Revised on
December 16, 2025
Smelled and smelt are two ways of spelling the past tense of the verb “smell,” which means “to produce an odor” or “to detect something’s scent.” The spelling depends on the variant of English you use.
In American English, “smelled” is standard.
In British English, “smelled” and “smelt” are both used.
It’s important to choose one spelling and use it consistently. The Quillbot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
Examples: Smelled or smelt in a sentenceThe books I found in the attic smelled/smelt musty.
The burned food smelled/smelt so bad!
The dog smelled/smelt something interesting and ran off into the woods.
