What is practice? Pronunciation and usage in English

practice means . Learn how to pronounce and use practice through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of practice

practicenoun/verb

/ˈpraktɪs/
Definition & pronunciation of practice

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "practice" in English. It's a tricky one for many learners! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and accepted pronunciation is:

  • /prækˈtɪs/

Let's break that down syllable by syllable:

  1. “prac”: This is the trickiest part. It's pronounced like “prac” – short “a” sound, followed by “c” and then “t”. It's not like "trap" or "wrap." Think of a very quick, clipped sound. It's almost like saying “preh-act” but very quickly.

  2. “tice”: This is pronounced like “tiss.” It’s the “s” sound.

Putting it together:

You blend those sounds together smoothly. It should sound something like: “prac-tiss.”

Resources for Hearing it:

Key Tip: Don't overemphasize the "c" sound in the first syllable. It’s a subtle, clipped sound.

Would you like me to:

  • Give you some example sentences using the word "practice"?
  • Focus on a specific part of the pronunciation you’re struggling with?

Usage and examples with the word practice in English

Let's break down how to use the word "practice" in English. It's a really versatile word with several different meanings and ways to incorporate it into your sentences. Here's a breakdown categorized for clarity:

1. As a Verb (Action - Doing Something Repeatedly)

  • Meaning: To do something repeatedly in order to improve or maintain skill. This is the most common use.
  • Examples:
    • "I need to practice the piano every day." (Improving skill)
    • "He practices his basketball shots before games." (Maintaining skill)
    • "She practices speaking English with a tutor." (Learning/improving)
    • "They practice teamwork during soccer training." (Developing a skill)
    • "Doctors practice surgery on mannequins." (Preparing for a task)

2. As a Noun (The Act of Doing Something Repeatedly)

  • Meaning: The act or process of repeatedly doing something.
  • Examples:
    • "There's no substitute for practice." (You can't replace it with anything else)
    • "She’s working on her music practice." (Her dedicated time for playing)
    • "The team needs more practice to prepare for the competition." (The time spent practicing)
    • "He found that consistent practice led to improvement." (The repeated actions he took)

3. Phrases Using "Practice"

  • Practice makes perfect: A common idiom emphasizing that consistent effort leads to success.
  • Practice a skill: To actively work on improving a skill. (e.g., "I'm practicing my French pronunciation.")
  • Practice makes permanent (or constant): Highlights the idea that if you do something repeatedly incorrectly, it will become ingrained – you need to correct it.
  • Practice with…: To practice something using something else. (e.g., "I'm practicing with a pen to improve my handwriting.")
  • Practice oral fluency: To improve your ability to speak English conversationally.

4. Specific Contexts & Nuances

  • Medical/Legal: "Practice" can refer to a doctor's or lawyer's profession – "She's a renowned cardiologist." “He’s a criminal defense attorney.”
  • Business: "Practice" can be used in the context of a business strategy or routine. “The company is testing a new marketing practice.”
  • Music: “He’s a concert pianist” – (referring to his profession). “He practices scales daily.”

Tips for Using "Practice" Effectively:

  • Consider the context: Is it an action (verb) or referring to the process itself (noun)?
  • Use strong verbs alongside "practice": Instead of just saying "He practices piano," you could say "He diligently practices piano."
  • Show the result of practice: "Through diligent practice, she improved her typing speed."

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What are you trying to do with the word "practice?" (Are you writing a sentence, preparing for a conversation, or something else?)
  • Can you give me an example sentence you're struggling with?

Synonyms for the word practice

Idioms of the word practice

be/get out of practice
to be/become less good at doing something than you were because you have not spent time doing it recently
  • Don't ask me to speak French! I'm out of practice.
  • If you don't play regularly you soon get out of practice.
in practice
in reality
  • Prisoners have legal rights, but in practice these rights are not always respected.
  • The idea sounds fine in theory, but would it work in practice?
practice makes perfect
(saying)a way of encouraging people by telling them that if you do an activity regularly and try to improve your skill, you will become very good at it

    Practice with vocabulary practice

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. To achieve fluency in a new language, consistent ___________ is essential for mastering grammar and pronunciation.
    2. Our legal team needs to regularly ___________ court procedures to ensure we are always prepared for any challenge.
    3. The new policies will ___________ next month, after all employees have completed the mandatory training sessions.
    4. It's a common ___________ in many cultures to remove shoes before entering a home as a sign of respect.

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (there may be multiple correct answers per question)

    1. Which of the following describes the act of repeatedly doing something to improve a skill? a) performing b) demonstrating c) practicing d) executing

    2. In many professional fields, ethical standards are not just theoretical concepts but are meant for daily __________. (Select all that apply.) a) application b) observance c) practice d) contemplation

    3. To effectively manage complex projects, the team adheres to industry-standard ___________ to ensure efficiency and quality. a) theories b) hypotheses c) practices d) conventions

    4. Before presenting the quarterly report, the marketing team will ___________ the presentation multiple times to ensure a smooth delivery. a) rehearse b) exercise c) perform d) enact

    5. The company's new ___________ outlines the steps for submitting expense reports, aiming to streamline the process. a) procedure b) custom c) ritual d) habit

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. Original: Regular training is crucial for athletes to enhance their performance. Rewrite using "practice":

    2. Original: It is customary for new employees to undergo an orientation session. Rewrite using a related word form of "practice":

    3. Original: Implementing the new security measures requires careful attention to detail. Rewrite without "practice", using a suitable replacement word:

    Answer:

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. practice
    2. practice
    3. take effect
    4. custom

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

    1. c) practicing
    2. a) application, b) observance, c) practice
    3. c) practices, d) conventions
    4. a) rehearse
    5. a) procedure

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. Athletes must practice regularly to enhance their performance.
    2. The company's established practice includes an orientation session for new employees.
    3. The execution of the new security measures requires careful attention to detail.

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