to practice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to practice" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of performing an activity repeatedly to improve skill or proficiency. Example: "I need to practice my piano skills every day to prepare for the upcoming recital."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

— to practice.

The New Yorker

They come to practice.

The New York Times

Joe went to practice.

The New York Times - Sports

You have to practice".

The New York Times

Time to practice.

The New Yorker

Dementieva had to practice.

The New Yorker

We have to practice.

The New York Times

But where to practice?

The New York Times - Travel

They were going to practice.

The New York Times - Magazine

"He's been cleared to practice.

The New York Times - Sports

She trains to practice law.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to practice", specify what skill or activity is being practiced for clarity. For example, "to practice the piano" is more precise than simply "to practice".

Common error

Avoid using "to practice" without a clear object or context. Saying "I need to practice" is vague. Instead, specify what you need to practice: "I need to practice my presentation".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "to practice" is as an infinitive phrase, often serving as a verb complement or expressing purpose. Ludwig examples show it describing the action of improving skills or pursuing a profession. It indicates what someone needs to do or intends to do.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

40%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to practice" functions as an infinitive phrase used to express the intention of improving a skill or preparing for a task. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, as examples pulled from news media, wiki pages and other reference material demonstrate. While versatile, it's important to specify what is being practiced to avoid vagueness. Related phrases include "to rehearse" and "to train", each carrying nuances that may be more appropriate depending on the specific context. The phrase maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to rehearse

Focuses specifically on preparing for a performance or event.

to train

Implies a more structured and disciplined approach to improving skills.

to drill

Suggests repetitive exercises for skill mastery.

to hone

Emphasizes refining existing skills to a sharper level.

to cultivate

Implies nurturing and developing a skill over time.

to perfect

Focuses on achieving a flawless level of skill.

to study

Involves learning and understanding a subject or skill.

to work at

Highlights the effort and dedication required to improve.

to prepare

Focuses on getting ready for a specific task or challenge.

to exercise

Relates to practicing skills or routines on a regular schedule.

FAQs

How can I use "to practice" in a sentence?

You can use "to practice" to describe the act of repeatedly performing an activity to improve a skill, such as "I need "to practice my French"" or "She went "to practice the piano"".

What are some alternatives to "to practice"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "to rehearse", "to train", or "to drill".

Is it correct to say "practicing" instead of "to practice"?

Yes, but it changes the grammatical structure. "Practicing" is a gerund or present participle, while "to practice" is an infinitive. For example, "Practicing regularly is important" versus "It's important "to practice regularly"".

What's the difference between "to practice" and "practice" (noun)?

"To practice" is a verb phrase indicating the act of performing something repeatedly, while "practice" (as a noun) refers to the activity itself or a customary action. For example, "I need "to practice"" (verb) versus "Practice makes perfect" (noun).