A-Z of Bloopers - P

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Pass up

When you pass something, you move it from one person to another. You do not pass up your homework - you pass in your homework. Pass up is used when talking about chances or offers to do something. When you pass something up you are giving something a miss.

Practice/practise

British English makes the distinction that practice is a noun and practise is a verb. All you have to figure out is whether your word is a noun or a verb - but sometimes it's not that easy! I think the Americans have it right - they use practice whether it's a noun or a verb. Imagine how much easier that would be!

Anyway, using British English, here are some examples:

For example:

I need to practise the piano this weekend for a test next week.
If I practise hard I should do well in my exams.

The practice of kungfu is very good for developing concentration.
It is not company practice to allow staff to take leave in December.

Practical or practicable

Practical means useful or sensible. Practicable means feasible.

↑ top