Thursday 5 February 2015

British English vs. American English


Grammar, spelling and vocabulary differences between British and American English

Grammar differences between British and American English

 

Prepositions

There are also a few differences in preposition use including the following:

  • American English - on the weekend
    British English - at the weekend

     

  • American English - on a team
    British English - in a team

     

  • American English - please write me soon
    British English - please write to me soon

 

Spelling differences between British and American English:

1. Some words that end in ‘-tre’ in British English end in ‘-ter’ in American English. 

  • US theater, center
  • Brit. theatre, centre

2. Some words that end in ‘-our’ in British English end in ‘-or’ in American English.

  • US color, labor
  • Brit. colour, labour

3. Some words are shorter in American English than in British English.

  • US catalog, program
  • Brit. catalogue, programme

4. Some words that end in '-ize' in American English end in '-ise' in British English.

  • US recognizepatronize
  • Britrecognisepatronise 

 


Vocabulary

Here are a few of the commonest vocabulary differences: 

British                                                            US

angry                                                              mad 

autumn                                                           fall

boot (of a car)                                                 trunk

chemist’s                                                       drug store

cupboard                                                       closet

flat                                                                apartment

lift                                                                elevator

nappy                                                           diaper

pavement                                                     sidewalk

petrol                                                           gas/gasoline

rubbish                                                       trash

tap                                                             faucet

trousers                                                      pants

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