Patients vs. Patience

The English language is full of confusing words that sound the same and spell the same. These two words, Patients vs. Patience, are no different. The words patients and patience are homophones, which mean they sound the same when they are spoken, but when they are spelt, spellings are different and have different meanings. In this article, we will talk about the difference between these two words, i.e., Patients vs. Patience.

After reading this article one can easily understand the difference between them and will be able to learn that when and where to use the words ‘Patients’ and ‘Patience’. The word ‘patience’ as a noun, refers to wait calmly or endure hardship for a long time without becoming angry or eager. The word ‘patients’ though is the plural form of the word ‘patient’ refers to a person who receives medical care.

We can use the word ‘patience’ as a noun only, whereas, we can use the word ‘patient’ as a noun as well as an adjective. When we use word patience as a noun, its meaning is to wait or tolerate the delay, a problem without losing calmness.

For example, ‘Eagerness kills a bird, so have patience and jump off the trap carefully’. Another example, ‘All mothers have the patience for their kids’ or ‘we shall have to work with patience then after we get good results’. In the noun form, the words, patience and patient, are used beautifully in this example, ‘Have patience, otherwise, he will beat you and make you patient’. We will see more examples for Patients vs. Patience in the rest of the article.

Difference between Patients and Patience

The word patient, as mentioned, is used as a noun and as an adjective, whereas word patience is used as a noun only. The word patient’s meaning as an adjective is to accept or tolerate the delays without becoming anxious. For example, ‘Be patient, your turn will come soon to hit the ball’ or ‘Today the bus is late as usual, but we are patient and wait until it comes’.

Another example, ‘Please be patient, your number will come’. The word patient is also used as a noun where a person is getting medical care or assistance for his/her illness. For example, ‘My father is hospitalized and admitted as a patient in ICU’ or ‘out-patients have to register themselves in OPD’  or ‘Nowadays, hospitals are full with patients due to corona pandemic’ or ‘patients are facing problems as doctors are on strike’.

On the other hand, word patience is used in the noun form only and it means a person who does not show eagerness and waits calmly. For example, ‘The King’s patience helped him to understand the situation’ or ‘The Governor tells his aide to have patience and listen to him carefully’. Another example, ‘Though doctors have many patients but they listen to them with patience and understand their illnesses’. In day to day work, we use these two words in different meanings and different situations.

The words patients and patience can be used together to form good sentences. For example, ‘Patients have to wait for their turn with patience’ or ‘A patient’s son was angry as his father is not being attended by doctors with patience’.

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How to Use Patients?

As a noun:

1. Incorrect: In India, foreign patience is coming as good facilities are available at cheaper rates.

Correct: In India, foreign patients are coming as good facilities are available at cheaper rates.

2. Incorrect: The government provides health insurance to patience.

Correct: The government provides health insurance to patients

As an Adjective:

1. Incorrect: He patience looked at his little sister while getting the chocolates from the rack.

Correct: He patiently looked at his little sister while getting the chocolates from the rack.

2. Incorrect: The operation of a patient should be done patience.

Correct: The operation of a patient should be done patiently.

3. Incorrect: A patience worker is a hard worker.

Correct: A patient worker is a hard worker.

How to Use Patience?

As a noun:

1. Incorrect: Patient is a great source of strength.

Correct: Patience is a great source of strength.

2. Incorrect: There was a limit to his patient.

Correct: There was a limit to his patience.

Examples of PATIENT – Using PATIENT in a Sentence

1. Patients are waiting for their turn patiently.
2. Visually impaired patients need audio aids.
3. Good doctors treat patients with humanity.
4. Vishnu and Krishna are the names of patients admitted to the hospital.
5. Due to the illness, patients come to the doctor for treatment.
6. Though the patient has a history of regular illness he did not come forward for treatment.

Examples of PATIENCE – Using PATIENCE in a Sentence

1. The Governor tells his aide to have patience and listen to him carefully.
2. Patients were waiting at the doctor’s clinic with patience.
3. Listen to the questions with patience and answer them.
4. A patient’s son was angry as his father is not being seen with patience.