Offence vs Offense | Definition, Spelling & Examples
Offence and offense are two ways of spelling the same noun, which refers to a sports tactic aiming to score on the opponent, a breach of rule or illegal act, or a state of resentment due to a perceived insult.
The spelling depends on the type of English you use:
- In British English, “offence” is standard.
- In American English, “offense” is most common.
It’s important to choose one spelling and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
Committing a criminal offence/offense can result in various penalties.
Despite his good intentions, I took offence/offense to his comment.
Offensive and offensively
The spelling difference does not apply to related words, such as the adjective offensive (never “offencive”), which describes something that’s insulting. Offensive can also be used as a noun in a military context.
The related adverb offensively is also always spelled with an “s” (never “offencively”).
The military offensive was strategically planned to weaken the enemy’s positions.
Ted’s comments were not only rude but also delivered offensively.
Main differences between American and British English
American and British English are very similar, but there are a few main differences in spelling. Some differences are:
| Difference | Rule | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| -or vs -our | In American English, many Latin-derived words end in -or. | Behavior or behaviour Color or colour Favor or favour Flavor or flavour Favorite or favourite Honor or honour Humor or humour Labor or labour Neighbor or neighbour |
| In British English, these same words end in -our. | ||
| -er vs -re | In American English, some French, Latin, or Greek words end in -er. | Center or centre Fiber or fibre Theater or theatre |
| In British English, these same words end in -re. | ||
| -ize vs -ise | In American English, many Greek-derived words end in -yze or -ize. | Analyze or analyse Organization or organisation Realize or realise Recognize or recognise |
| In British English, these words end in -yse or -ise. | ||
| -ed vs -t | In American English, most verbs are regular and form their past tense with the suffix -ed. | Burned or burnt Dreamed or dreamt Kneeled or knelt Learned or learnt Smelled or smelt Spelled or spelt Spilled or spilt |
| In British English, some of these verbs are irregular and form their past tense with the suffix -t. | ||
| Single vs double consonant | In American English, many words are spelled with a single consonant. | Buses or busses Canceled or cancelled Counselor or counsellor Focused or focussed Labeled or labelled Modeling or modelling Traveling or travelling |
| In British English, these same words are often spelled with a double consonant. | ||
| Dropping vs retaining the “e” | In American English, “e” is often dropped when forming a noun from a verb | Acknowledgment or acknowledgement Aging or ageing Judgment or judgement |
| In British English, the “e” is often retained. | ||
| Different verb and noun spellings | In American English, most words have identical verb and noun spellings. | License or licence Practice or practise |
| In British English, some words have different spellings for the verb and noun forms. | ||
| Other spelling differences | There are many other spelling differences between the two English variants. | Airplane or aeroplane Aluminum or aluminium Check or cheque Cozy or cosy Defense or defence Dependent or dependant Enrollment or enrolment Fulfil or fulfill Gray or grey Jewelry or jewellery Karat or carat Mold or mould Offense or offence Pajamas or pyjamas Program or programme Skeptical or sceptical Tire or tyre |
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Frequently asked questions about offence vs offense
- Is it take offense or take offence?
-
Offence and offense are two spellings of the same noun. The spelling depends on the type of English.
- In British English, “offence” is the normal spelling, so it’s take offence.
- In American English, “offense” is standard, so it’s take offense.
The same distinction applies to similar words, such as defence or defense, licence or license, and pretence or pretense.
It’s important to choose one spelling and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
- Is it first offence or first offense?
-
Offence and offense are two spellings of the same noun. The spelling depends on the type of English.
- In British English, “offence” is the usual spelling, so it’s first offence.
- In American English, “offense” is standard, so it’s first offense.
The same difference applies to similar words, such as defence or defense, licence or license, and pretence or pretense.
It’s important to choose one spelling and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
- Is it no offence or no offense?
-
Offence and offense are two spellings of the same noun. The spelling depends on the type of English.
- In British English, “offence” is most common, so it’s no offence.
- In American English, “offense” is standard, so it’s no offense.
The same difference applies to similar words, such as defence or defense, licence or license, and pretence or pretense.
It’s important to choose one spelling and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this
