Today I’m going to explain the difference between licence and license. These words can be tricky because they have different spellings and meanings depending on whether you are using British or American English. Let’s start with the basics:
- Licence is a noun in British English. It means a permit or an authorization to do something. For example, you need a driving licence to drive a car in the UK.
- License is a verb in British English. It means to grant a licence or to give permission to do something. For example, the government licenses online tutors to teach students in the UK.
- License is both a noun and a verb in American English. It has the same meanings as licence and license in British English, but it is spelled with an s instead of a c. For example, you need a license to drive a car in the US, and the government licenses online tutors to teach students in the US.
Here are some sample sentences using licence and license in both British and American English:
British English:
- I lost my driving licence and I had to pay a fine.
- The online tutor was licensed by the Department of Education.
- She applied for a fishing licence to go fishing with her dad.
- The company was not licensed to sell alcohol online.
- He showed his licence to the security guard at the entrance.
American English:
- I lost my driver’s license and I had to pay a fine.
- The online tutor was licensed by the Department of Education.
- She applied for a fishing license to go fishing with her dad.
- The company was not licensed to sell alcohol online.
- He showed his license to the security guard at the entrance.
Sometimes people make mistakes when using licence and license. Here are some common errors and how to avoid them:
- Don’t confuse licence with license. Remember that licence is a noun in British English and license is a verb in British English. In American English, license is both a noun and a verb.
- Don’t spell licence or license with an s or a c randomly. Follow the rules of spelling for British or American English depending on your audience and context.
- Don’t use licence or license interchangeably with other words that have similar meanings, such as permit, authorization, certification, etc. Each word has its own nuances and usage, so check the dictionary if you are unsure.
I hope this lesson was helpful and fun. Now you know how to use licence and license correctly in both British and American English. Happy learning!