ToBE #26 : '-ize' or '-ise' - Which is correct?

First, an apology to my regular readers on my irregular mailing habits.

Second, I have inculded some new people on the mailing list of ToBE - Towards Better English - you may choose to subscribe if you like it or recommend others to sign up.

Existing readers need not respond unless they want to sign out. Also, they can continue offering corrections and suggestions.
___________________________________________________________________________________________

To the question of this issue: Which is correct - '-ise' or '-ize'?
Answer: Both.

Of course, you will be correct in pointing out that one is American and the other is British, but that is not the complete story.

American:

• Set 1: Capitalize, Localize, Stabilize and of course, Americanize.
• Set 2: Recognize, Cognizant.
• Set 3: Analyze. (Please note that 'analyze' is not an '-iz-' word).

Simply put, Set 1 contains those words that can be suffixed with -ation (after dropping the last 'e') and still make meaningful words.
The rule doesn't apply to Set 2 or Set 3.
Also, 'surprise' is NOT 'surprize' in any English.

British:

• Set 1: Both '-ize' and '-ise' are acceptable and using '-ize' is age-old and not an American influence.
• Set 2: Typically - recognise, cognisant, but 'recognize' and 'cognizant' are also accepted.
• Set 3: Analyse (Always 'analyse', never 'analyze').

To avoid having to remember when '-ize' can be used and when not, most Brits (and users of Commonwealth English users) prefer to use '-ise' on all occasions.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________

In the next issue: A few more spelling differences.