-ize, -ise, or -yse?
Many verbs that end in -ize can also end in -ise: both endings are correct in British English, though you should stick to one or the other within a piece of writing. For example: finalize/finalise; organize/organise; realize/realise. This website spells these words with the -ize ending, but the main dictionary entries for the verbs show that the -ise spelling is also correct.
But there are a small set of verbs that must always be spelled with -ise at the end and never with -ize. Here are the most common ones:
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advertise
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compromise
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exercise
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revise
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advise
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despise
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improvise
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supervise
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apprise
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devise
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incise
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surmise
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chastise
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disguise
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prise (meaning ‘open’)
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surprise
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comprise
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excise
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promise
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televise
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There are also a few verbs which always end in -yse in British English.
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analyse
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catalyse
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electrolyse
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paralyse
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breathalyse
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dialyse
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hydrolyse
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psychoanalyse
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In American English, they are all spelled with the ending -yze
See also