Patience, Young Grasshopper
Here’s how to remember when to use “patience” and “patients” correctly.
A wise man once said, “patience is a virtue.” We agree. Knowing how to spell patience is important, too. Below, we’ll cover the correct spelling of patience and teach you how not to confuse it with patients.
How To Spell “Patience” Correctly
The correct spelling of patience is p-a-t-i-e-n-c-e.
It is pronounced /ˈpeɪʃns/, which sounds like pay-shns. This word is a noun (person, place, thing, or idea) that means “the ability to accept delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry, bothered, or upset.”
The adjective form of this word is patient, and that’s where the confusion comes in.
“Patience” vs. “Patients”
As we stated above, patience is the ability to accept delay, trouble, or suffering without getting bothered. In other words, it’s staying calm, cool, and collected when things don’t go as planned.
Someone who is patient (adjective) has patience (noun). However, patient has another definition. It’s a noun that means “a person awaiting or receiving medical care.”
The plural form of this word is patients. It is pronounced /ˈpeɪʃnts/, which sounds like pay-shnts. As you can see, it has a nearly identical pronunciation to patience.
What Are Other Words for “Patience”?
Other words you could use instead of patience are:
- tolerance
- calmness
- forbearance
Have “Patience”
If you’re still having trouble with this word, have patience. Correct spelling is a matter of practice and familiarization. If you need extra assistance, try LanguageTool. This multilingual text editor will correct grammar and spelling mistakes, easily provide synonyms, and offer stylistic improvements.
