An English question about s/z

W

water

the sea
Registered Senior Member
An English question about s/z

Some verbs end with -ise, some with -ize.

I checked the dictionary, and here are some proper writings:

Z:
conceptualiZe
immortaliZe
hypnotiZe
generaliZe
organiZe
idoliZe
apologiZe
realiZe
criticiZe

(some also have a version with a s)
...

S:
surpriSe
surmiSe
despiSe
riSe
wiSe
...


What is the rule?

Also, what about the -iZation/-iSation words?
It is generaliZation, organiZation, realiZation ...

Are s and z sometimes interchangeable?

Is this an American English vs. British English issue?
 
In england, although most people don't, well spell and are supposed to spell all those 'Z' words with an 'S', everything is 'S'. I don't know why you americans changed it all around, but perhaps whoever did just left the job half-done, or decided they wanted some of the words to stay as 'S'??? I'm joking, but I'm also serious.
 
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