Proofreading Tips: Noun and Verb Spelling Differences

Correcting spelling mistakes is key for any proofreader. But certain errors are easy to miss! This is especially true when it comes to noun and verb spelling differences, partly because they often vary by dialect. In this post, we’ll be taking a look at three cases where the noun and verb forms of a word are (at least sometimes) spelled differently:

• Practice and practise
• Licence and license
• Advice and advise

To see how noun and verb spelling differences work, read on below.

Practice vs. Practise

A common term that trips up even the most experienced proofreaders is practice/practise. In British and Australian English, practice (spelled with a c) is a noun:

The doctor’s practice was busy that day. 

I need more practice to get better at knitting. 

But the verb form is spelled practise (with an s):

You must practise regularly to learn an instrument.

I enjoy practising new dance moves.

In American English, though, practice (with a c) is used for both forms of the word:

I practiced for two hours yesterday.

I went to basketball practice.

As a proofreader, you’ll need to ensure your client’s spelling is correct for their dialect and, in UK and Australian English, for the form being used.

Licence vs. License

In British and Australian English, licence is a noun and license is a verb. For example:

I finally got my driving licence.

I am now licensed to drive. 

But license (with an s) is both the noun and verb in American English:

I have some artistic license.

But I am not licensed to publish libel.

As above, you’ll thus need to ensure your client uses the correct spellings for their dialect.

Advice vs. Advise

In some cases, the noun–verb distinction is the same in all regional varieties of English. For example, advice is always a noun:

Thanks for the great advice.

Advise, however, is always a verb:

She advised me on how to write a CV.

Using the Spellchecker

When proofreading in Microsoft Word, setting the proofing language is a great way to catch noun and verb spelling differences in some circumstances, but you shouldn’t rely on it to pick up on them all. Remember, Word does not know how the word is being used! As a proofreader, you need to pay careful attention to catch any and all spelling mistakes.

And it’s always useful to brush up on the nuances of proofreading in different English dialects.

Become a Proofreader

A keen eye for detail and the vigilance to perfect every document you encounter are the hallmarks of a great proofreader. If you think you’ve got what it takes, we offer two free lessons of our CPD-accredited Becoming A Proofreader course so you can see for yourself. Sign up today!

Related posts:

Proofreading Tips: Cacti or Cactuses? A Guide to Irregular Plurals 5 Tips on How to Write the Perfect Christmas Card The Bad Big Wolf? A Proofreader’s Guide to Adjective Order British vs. American English: -Ise or -Ize?