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Where possible, use -ize instead of -ise.

While it is true that British people often use the -ise form because they are taught it in school, most British academics and the publishing industry prefer the -ize form. British English allows both forms when there is a choice (e.g. organize/organise, realize/realise, civilize/civilise).

To be as inclusive as possible, therefore, it makes sense for us to use the -ize form. However, in some verbs -ise is not a suffix but part of the root of the word (e.g. advise). In those cases, there is no choice and -ise must be used.

Here are the most important:

• advertise, advise, apprise, arise, chastise, circumcise, comprise, compromise, demise, despise, devise, disenfranchise, disguise, enfranchise, enterprise, excise exercise, franchise, improvise, incise, merchandise, prise (open), revise, supervise, surmise, surprise and televise.

Similarly, when -ize is part of the root of a verb (e.g. capsize, prize), no other ending can be used.

When there's a “y”, British English does not allow a choice. Verbs ending in -yse (e.g. analyse, paralyse) should always be spelt with an “s”. Please never write “analyze”, “paralyze”, etc. even though this is accepted in American English.

Here are some common spelling differences between British English and American English.