practise magic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "practise magic" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of performing or engaging in magical practices or rituals, often in a fictional or fantasy context. Example: "In the enchanted forest, the sorceress would often practise magic to protect her realm from dark forces."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Shah is a fortune-teller – a falbin, a taweez naweez mulla, a djinn hunter – who belongs to a long tradition of men who practise magic said to predate Islam.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

A message left at the scene suggested that the Christians were thought by local people to be practising magic.

The Economist

These fuckers, they will turn up!" Morrison practises magic, and encourages his readers to do the same.

The Guardian - Books

I locked myself away in my room practising magic but I'd rush out when he'd made a spag bol or roast.

The Guardian

Smith has claimed that the first verse ("Show me how you do that trick / The one that makes me scream") is rooted in boyhood memories of practising magic, and Just Like Heaven feels like it's the result of some sorcery to flush the senses: the fuzziest corner of the Cure's friendliest album, 1987's Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me, it's a tinselly spell of buttery guitars and glistening melodies.

The Guardian - Music

Stone has been practising magic tricks since he was five.

BBC

Sadyngton was also known to keep servants and was even accused of practising magic, including divination.

Wikipedia

From this she extracted "The Ladies of Grace Adieu", a fairy tale about three women secretly practising magic who are discovered by the famous Jonathan Strange.

Wikipedia

In the popular tradition of Serbia, Bulgaria, and Macedonia, the ability to leave one's own body was also possessed by some cunning women who practised magic for healing.

Wikipedia

Many of those who subsequently became implicated as the investigation progressed did indeed consider themselves to be witches, in the sense of being village healers who practised magic, probably in return for payment, but such men and women were common in 16th-century rural England, an accepted part of village life.

Wikipedia

One activist was charged with practising black magic.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "practise magic" when referring to the act of regularly performing or studying magic, particularly in fictional or fantasy contexts. This phrase is suitable when you want to convey a sense of ongoing effort and dedication to the craft.

Common error

Avoid using "practise magic" to refer to a specific instance of magical performance. Instead, use "practice magic" (with 'practice' as a noun) or rephrase to something like "performing magic" if you mean a single event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "practise magic" functions as a verb phrase where "practise" is the verb indicating the act of regularly performing or studying magic and "magic" is the noun representing the subject of the practice. This usage aligns with examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "practise magic" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression that describes the act of regularly performing or studying magic. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s best suited for contexts where you want to convey ongoing effort and dedication. While alternatives like "perform magic" or "engage in magic" exist, "practise magic" specifically highlights the habitual nature of the activity. Be mindful to differentiate "practise" (verb) from "practice" (noun) to avoid common errors, and ensure your usage aligns with the intended formality level, which tends to be neutral across news, media, and general contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perform magic

Emphasizes the act of executing magical acts, focusing on the performance aspect.

engage in magic

Highlights active participation in magical activities, suggesting involvement and dedication.

study magic

Focuses on the academic and theoretical aspect of learning magic, implying formal study.

develop magical abilities

Highlights the process of cultivating and expanding one's inherent magical potential.

hone magical skills

Implies refining and improving one's abilities in magic, suggesting a process of development.

experiment with magic

Focuses on trying out different magical techniques or approaches, suggesting a sense of discovery.

cast spells

Refers specifically to the act of using incantations or rituals to produce magical effects.

use witchcraft

Suggests employing magical practices associated with witches and witchcraft traditions.

exercise sorcery

Involves practicing magic with an emphasis on arcane knowledge and potentially darker arts.

dabble in magic

Implies a casual or exploratory involvement in magical practices, without deep commitment.

FAQs

How can I use "practise magic" in a sentence?

You can use "practise magic" to describe someone who regularly performs or studies magic. For example, "The wizard would "practise magic" in his tower every evening".

What are some alternatives to "practise magic"?

Some alternatives include "perform magic", "engage in magic", or "study magic", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "practise magic" and "perform magic"?

"Practise magic" suggests a regular activity or ongoing study, while "perform magic" implies a specific instance of showcasing magical abilities. Use "practise magic" for habitual actions and "perform magic" for single events.

Which is more appropriate, "practise magic" or "doing magic"?

"Practise magic" is generally more appropriate in formal writing when referring to the ongoing development of magical skills. "Doing magic" is more informal and can be used in casual conversation, though in formal usage "perform magic" is preferred.