Patient vs. Patience: Make Sure You Get It Right!

Patient vs. Patience | The Definition

Patient and Patience are related but have different meanings and uses:

What Does Patient Mean?

Patient (noun)

As a noun, patient refers to an individual under medical care or treatment. For instance: “The patient in room 5 requires a daily check-up.”

Patient (adjective)

As an adjective, patient describes someone showing patience. Examples include: “She was very patient with the slow-moving line.”

What Does Patience Mean?

Patience (noun) Patience is the ability to stay calm and not become annoyed when dealing with problems or difficult people. It is exemplified in sentences such as: “Teaching toddlers requires a significant amount of patience.”

Patient vs. Patience | Contextual Differences

Medical Contexts

Patient (noun):

• In a medical context, “patient” refers to a person who is under medical care or treatment.
• Example: “We’re seeing our next patient for their routine check-up.”

Patience (noun):

• The term “patience” does not have a direct medical application; rather, it describes the demeanor encouraged in both healthcare providers and recipients.
• Example: “Our doctors exhibit great patience when treating patients with complex conditions.”

Emotional Contexts

Patient (adjective):

• The adjective form of “patient” describes a person’s ability to endure difficulties without becoming annoyed or anxious.
• Example: “We must be patient while waiting for our test results.”

Patience (noun):

• Similar in emotional contexts, “patience” denotes the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, problems, or suffering without becoming upset or angry.
• Example: “It takes a lot of patience to handle the uncertainties of life.”

Tips to Avoid Confusion

We can use mnemonic devices to remember the difference between “patient” and “patience.” For “patient,” think of “A patient in a tent,” since “patient” ends with “ent” and refers to a person receiving medical care. For “patience,” remember that it contains the word “ice,” which is cold and seemingly still, symbolizing the state of calm endurance implied by patience.

Common Mistakes Using Patient and Patience

1. Using “patient” instead of “patience”

• Incorrect: “You need to have a lot of patient to deal with kids.”
• Correct: “You need to have a lot of patience to deal with kids.”
• Explanation: “Patience” (noun) is the ability to stay calm, while “patient” (adjective) describes someone who has that ability.

2. Using “patience” instead of “patient” (adjective)

• Incorrect: “She is very patience with her students.”
• Correct: “She is very patient with her students.”
• Explanation: “Patient” is the adjective describing someone who can wait calmly. “Patience” is the noun form.

3. Confusing “patient” (adjective) with “patient” (noun)

• Incorrect: “The patience is waiting in the doctor’s office.”
• Correct: “The patient is waiting in the doctor’s office.”
• Explanation: Here, “patient” is the noun referring to a person receiving medical care, not the quality of being calm.

4. Misusing “patience” when referring to a person

• Incorrect: “The doctor will see the patience now.”
• Correct: “The doctor will see the patient now.”
• Explanation: “Patience” is never used to describe a person; “patient” (noun) is the correct term for someone receiving medical care.

5. Incorrect use in fixed expressions

• Incorrect: “Patience is a patient virtue.”
• Correct: “Patience is a virtue.”
• Explanation: The phrase “Patience is a virtue” is a common expression meaning that patience is an important and admirable quality.

Patient vs. Patience: Examples

Example Sentences Using Patient

• The patient showed signs of recovery after the treatment.
• A patient in room 5 needs immediate attention.
• The doctor reassured the anxious patient.
• She’s been a patient at the clinic for three years.
• Each patient has a unique medical history.
• The patient‘s family waited outside the operation theatre.
• The patient filled out the necessary paperwork before the check-up.

Example Sentences Using Patience

• Gardening requires a lot of patience and care.
• Teaching toddlers demands endless patience.
• Her patience was wearing thin after hours of waiting.
• Meditation can help cultivate patience.
• He thanked her for her patience during the long process.
• With patience, you can master any skill.
• The job requires patience and attention to detail.

Related Confused Words

Patient vs. Patent