One famous dilemma in the English language is whether to use of s or z in verbs. Many fear that either customize or customise is incorrect. Or they might have different connotations.
Is it customised or customized? Customisation or customization? Find out how to properly use these words to become a better writer!
Is it Customise or Customize?
In the U.S. and Canada, it’s customize, customized, customizing, customization, customizable, etc. Outside North America, it’s customise, customised, customising, customisation, customisable, etc. Customize is a mid-20th-century American creation, so the s spelling is the original.
How is Customize Spelled in the U.K.?
British English spells customize as customise with an s. Outside North America, it’s customise, customised, customising, customisation, customisable, etc.
The word is so new that some dictionaries, including the main British ones, have yet to recognize customise etc., but that spelling is now very common in all sorts of texts from outside North America. In recent British news stories, for instance, customise appears about 20 times for every customize. In Canada and the U.S., meanwhile, customize appears about 500 times for every customise.
What is the Definition of Customize?
Customize is a verb that means to build, change, or fit according to individual characteristics. You can customize your camera settings, Facebook profile, fast food meal, and anything else to suit your needs.
What is the Difference Between Customised and Personalized?
The difference between customized and personalized orders or items depends on who’s building, changing, or fitting.
Personalization is the correct term if you use customer data to make changes. Customization is the right word if the customer changes the item independently.
Customization is explicit because the user controls the item they want to change, meaning they actively decide. Personalization is implicit since it takes place without the customer’s active participation.
In the end, both words aim to cater to the end-user, according to online dictionaries. And many businesses allow the combination of customization and personalization. Translations of customize don’t vary too much and are always a form of a verb.
How to Use Customize in a Sentence
Here are some examples of customize in a sentence format to help you better understand how to properly use the form of customize you need for your writing.
- The webpage has advanced options for customizing the text.
- This new t-shirt company is like no other because it allows you to customize the designs.
- Try customizing the settings if you want to receive weekly updates from the brand.
- A good teacher customizes learning activities to different types of learners.
- You need to pay for the additional charges if you want your wedding gown to be customized.
- He thought it was a bad game because players were not allowed to customize the multiplayer experience.
- I enjoy customizing my paintings so that my buyers will feel special.
It Depends On Location!
Whether it’s customised or customized, customisation or customization, all spellings are correct but dependent on geography. You don’t need an advanced search to tell you that. A lot of words follow the spelling rule where British English uses s, while American English uses z.
Use customise for your British English audience, and use customize for American English and Canadian English readers.
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