Table of Contents
There are many types of English, American English and British English are the two types taught in most ESL / EFL programs. In general, it is agreed that there is no single “correct” version, but there are preferences used.
The English language was introduced to America by the British colonies, in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. The language also spread to many other parts of the world as a result of British trade and colonialism and the expansion of the former British Empire, which, in 1921, consisted of 470-570 million people, about a quarter of the world’s population. The English-American and American literary forms as found in newspapers and textbooks differ slightly in their essential features, with only occasional differences.
History
The English actually introduced the language to the Americas when they came to these lands by sea between the 16th and 17th centuries. At that time, the spelling was not yet established. The first dictionaries had to be written to indicate the origin of the words. In the UK, the dictionary was compiled by London-based scholars. Meanwhile, in the United States, the lexicographer was a man named Noah Webster. He allegedly changed the spelling to make the American version different from the British as a way of reflecting the cultural autonomy of his country.
In terms of speech, the distinction between American and British English actually took place after the arrival of the first settlers in America. These groups of people spoke using what was called a rhotic speech, in which the ‘r’ sounds of the words were pronounced. At the time, the UK higher classes differentiated between the way they spoke and the general public by softening their ‘r’ sound system. Since nobles even then were regarded as fashionable, some people began to copy their speech, until it became a common way of speaking in the south of England.
Grammar Differences
1: Which of the sentences below is grammatically correct?
The main difference between British English and American English is pronunciation. Some words are also different for each English language, and there is a slight difference in the way they use the grammar. Here are the five most common grammatical differences between British and American English.
1. Present Perfect and Past Simple
In British English, people use the present perfect to speak about a past action that they consider relevant to the present.
The present perfect can be used in the same way in American English, but people often use the past simple when they consider the action finished. This is especially common with the adverbs already, just and yet.
| British English | American English |
| He isn’t hungry. He has already had lunch. – Have you done your homework yet? – Yes, I’ve just finished it. |
He isn’t hungry. He already had lunch. – Did you do your homework yet? – Yes, I just finished it. |
2. got and gotten
In British English, the past participle of the verb get is got.
In American English, people say gotten.
Note that have got is commonly used in both British and American English to speak about possession or necessity. have gotten is not correct here.
| British English | American English |
| You could have got hurt! He’s got very thin. She has got serious about her career.BUT: Have you got any money? We’ve got to go now. |
You could have gotten hurt! He’s gotten very thin. She has gotten serious about her career.BUT: Have you got any money? We’ve got to go now. |
3. Verb forms with collective nouns
In British English, a singular or plural verb can be used with a noun that refers to a group of people or things (a collective noun). We use a plural verb when we think of the group as individuals or a singular verb when we think of the group as a single unit.
In American English, a singular verb is used with collective nouns.
Note that police is always followed by a plural verb.
| British English | American English |
| My family is/are visiting from Pakistan. My team is/are winning the match. The crew is/are on the way to the airport.BUT: The police are investigating the crime. |
My family is visiting from Pakistan. My team is winning the match. The crew is on the way to the airport.BUT: The police are investigating the crime. |
4. have and take
In British English, the verbs have and take are commonly used with nouns like bath, shower, wash to speak about washing and with nouns like break, holiday, rest to speak about resting.
In American English, only the verb take (and not the verb have) is used this way.
| British English | American English |
| I’m going to have/take a shower. Let’s have/take a break. |
I’m going to take a shower. Let’s take a break. |
5. shall
In British English, people often use Shall I …? to offer to do something and/or Shall we …? to make a suggestion.
It is very unusual for speakers of American English to use shall. They normally use an alternative like Should/Can I …? or Do you want/Would you like …? or How about …? instead.
| British English | American English |
| It’s hot in here. Shall I open the window? Shall we meet in the café at 5? Shall we try that again? |
It’s hot in here. Can I open the window? Do you want to meet in the café at 5? How about we try that again? |
Spelling
British and American English have a variety of spelling. The most common are listed below.
9 Spelling Differences Between British and American English
It is sometimes played out that the United Kingdom and the United States are two countries divided into one language. Indeed, although the British and the Americans coexist most of the time, there are still many important differences between English UK and US, which can lead to confusion or ridiculous misunderstandings.
Spelling
On paper, the most obvious difference between British English and American spelling (as you speak, the most obvious difference is pronunciation).
Spelling differences began to emerge because during the British occupation of North America, the English spelling was not yet corrected. The established English spelling came in the 18th century, after the American colonies declared independence.
An additional variation of spelling occurred when Noah Webster (founder of Webster’s Dictionary) attempted to simplify English spelling in America. Many of his suggestions – like plow – stuck and became common American spelling. Some – like tung (for “tongue”) – did not.
Below we have listed the major spelling differences that exist between British and American English
1) -ae- v –e-
Many words that come from Ancient Greek have an –ae– in British English but only –e- in US English. Most of these words are scientific, medical, or technical words.
| British | American |
|---|---|
| aeon | eon |
| aesthetic | esthetic |
| anaemia | anemia |
| anaesthesia | anesthesia |
| gynaecologist | gynecologist |
| paediatrician | pediatrician |
2) Doubled consonants
Sometimes British spelling requires a doubled consonant, for example in the past participle of certain verbs, where American spelling omits it. In other places, it is US English that has the doubled consonant; in certain verbal infinitives, or to preserve the root word of certain adjectives.
| British | American |
|---|---|
| appal | appall |
| carburettor | carburetor |
| counsellor | counselor |
| dishevelled | disheveled |
| distil | distill |
| enrol | enroll |
| fulfil | fufill |
| instalment | installment |
| instil | instill |
| skilful | skillful |
| woollen | woollen |
3) -ence v –ense
Many nouns that end in –ence in British English end in –ense in the US. UK English only uses –ense for the corresponding verb; for example, you can license someone to do something, after which they hold a licence to do it.
| British | American |
|---|---|
| defence | defense |
| licence(noun) | license |
| offence | offense |
| pretence | pretense |
4) Final –e
On both sides of the Atlantic, English is famous for the “silent” –e at the end of many words. Where both American and British English have this, in words such as name, make, or have, it comes from an Old English inflection. But many final –e spellings come from French loanwords,where often the consonant before the final –e is doubled. American English tends to omit these in accordance with Noah Webster’s spelling reforms.
| British | American |
|---|---|
| annexe | annex |
| glycerine | glycerin |
| gramme | gram |
| grille(noun) | grill |
| programme | program |
| tonne | ton |
The words axe (UK) and ax (US) follow this pattern, though the word comes from Germanic (not French) roots. The word judgement (UK) and judgment (US) can also be taken as an example of this if we discard the suffix –ment.
5) -oe- v –e-
Like –ae- above, British English preserves the –oe- digraph in words derived from the Classical languages, while US English has simplified it to –e-.
| British | American |
|---|---|
| diarrhoea | diarrhea |
| gonorrhoea | gonorrhea |
| manoeuvre | maneuver |
6) -our v –or
This is one of the more famous spelling differences between British and American English, and comes from French influence. Nearly all of these words originally come from Latin, and had the plain –or ending.
| British | American |
|---|---|
| arbour | arbor |
| ardour | arbor |
| armour | armor |
| behaviour | behavior |
| British | American |
| candour | candor |
| clamour | clamor |
| colour | color |
| demeanour | demeanor |
| endeavour | endeavor |
| favour | favor |
| flavour | flavor |
| harbour | habor |
| honour | honor |
| humour | humor |
| labour | labor |
| neighbour | neighbor |
| odour | odor |
| parlour | parlor |
| rancour | rancor |
| rigour | rigor |
| rumour | rumor |
| saviour | savior |
| savour | savor |
| splendour | splendor |
| tumour | tumor |
| valour | valor |
| vigour | vigor |
7) -re v –er
Like –our, the –re spelling originally comes from French. In the United States it was replaced with –er to better reflect American pronunciation.
| British | American |
|---|---|
| calibre | caliber |
| centre | center |
| fibre | fiber |
| litre | liter |
| lustre | luster |
| meagre | meager |
| metre | meter |
| sabre | saber |
| sceptre | scepter |
| sepulchre | sepulcher |
| sombre | somber |
| theatre | theater |
8)-ize v –ise and -yse v –yze
One of the most famous spelling differences isn’t really a difference at all. It’s a common misconception that in the the US you must use spellings like civilize (which is true) but in the UK you must use spellings like civilise (which is not true). In fact, both the –ize and –ise spellings are valid in the UK. Many British people use –ise spellings exclusively, but this is a convention, not a rule. You cannot use –ise spellings in the US.
By contrast, the –yze ending in words like analyze and paralyze is only acceptable in US English. In the UK you must use analyse and paralyse.
9) Other Simplifications
Many American spellings do owe their existence to Noah Webster’s spelling reforms, which sought to simplify spelling and bring it closer to common American pronunciation.
| British | American |
|---|---|
| aeroplane | airplane |
| artefact | artifact |
| British | American |
| cheque(banking) | check |
| chequerboard | checkerboard |
| chequered | checkered |
| cosy | cozy |
| doughnut | donut |
| draught | draft |
| gaol | jail |
| grey | gray |
| jewellery | jewelry |
| kerb(noun) | curb |
| plough | plow |
| sceptical | skeptical |
| sulphur | sulfur |
Vocabulary Differences
While pronunciation, grammar, and spelling are among the many differences between American and British English, perhaps the most difficult to navigate is the difference in American and British vocabulary and word choice.
American and British Vocabulary and Word Choice
Many readers are confused about the differences between words in American and British English. In general, it is true that most Americans will understand British English speakers and vice versa despite many differences. As your English improves, however, it is very important to decide which type of English you prefer. Once you have decided, try to stick to one form or another in all aspects that include variations in pronunciation: General American or Accepted Pronunciation. This harmony is the key to clearing the English connection.
The following table provides general English-American vocabulary and word choice and their English English alphabetical order. What words are already familiar to you?
American English |
British English |
| antenna | aerial |
| mad | angry |
| anyplace | anywhere |
| fall | autumn |
| bill | bank note |
| attorney | barrister, solicitor |
| cookie | biscuit |
| hood | bonnet |
| trunk | boot |
| suspenders | braces |
| janitor | caretaker |
| drug store | chemist’s |
| french fries | chips |
| the movies | the cinema |
| rubber | condom |
| patrolman | constable |
| stove | cooker |
| wheat | corn, wheat |
| crib | cot |
| thread | cotton |
| wreck | crash |
| intersection | crossroads |
| drapes | curtains |
| checkers | draughts |
| thumbtack | drawing pin |
| divided highway | dual carriageway |
| pacifier | dummy |
| trashcan | dustbin, rubbish-bin |
| garbage can | dustbin, rubbish-bin |
| garbage collector | dustman |
| generator | dynamo |
| motor | engine |
| engineer | engine driver |
| movie | film |
| apartment | flat |
| overpass | flyover |
| yard | garden |
| gear-shift | gear-lever |
| alumnus | graduate |
| boiler | grill |
| first floor | ground floor |
| rubbers | gumshoes, wellington boots |
| sneakers | gym shoes, tennis-shoes |
| purse | handbag |
| billboard | hoarding |
| vacation | holiday |
| vacuum cleaner | hoover |
| sick | ill |
| intermission | interval |
| sweater | jersey, jumper, pullover, sweater |
| pitcher | jug |
| elevator | lift |
| truck | lorry |
| baggage | luggage |
| raincoat | mackintosh, raincoat |
| crazy | mad |
| highway | main road |
| corn | maize |
| math | maths |
| stingy | mean |
| freeway | motorway |
| diaper | nappy |
| vicious, mean | nasty |
| noplace | nowhere |
| private hospital | nursing home |
| optometrist | optician |
| liquor store | off-license |
| kerosene | paraffin |
| sidewalk | pavement |
| peek | peep |
| gasoline | petrol |
| post | |
| mailbox | postbox |
| mailman, mail carrier | postman |
| potato chips | potato crisps |
| baby carriage | pram |
| bar | pub |
| restroom | public toilet |
| blow-out | puncture |
| stroller | push-chair |
| line | queue |
| railroad | railway |
| railway car | railway carriage |
| spool of thread | reel of cotton |
| round trip | return (ticket) |
| call collect | reverse charges |
| raise | rise (in salary) |
| pavement | road surface |
| traffic circle | roundabout |
| eraser | rubber |
| garbage, trash | rubbish |
| sedan | saloon (car) |
| Scotch tape | sellotape |
| store | shop |
| muffler | silencer |
| one-way | single (ticket) |
| someplace | somewhere |
| wrench | spanner |
| faculty | staff (of a university) |
| oil pan | sump |
| dessert | sweet |
| candy | sweets |
| faucet | tap |
| spigot | tap (outdoors) |
| cab | taxi |
| dish-towel | tea-towel |
| semester | term |
| pantyhose | tights |
| schedule | timetable |
| can | tin |
| turnpike | toll motorway |
| flashlight | torch |
| hobo | tramp |
| pants | trousers |
| cuffs | turn-ups |
| subway | underground railway |
| shorts | underpants |
| shoulder (of road) | verge (of road) |
| vest | waistcoat |
| closet | wardrobe |
| wash up | wash your hands |
| windshield | windscreen |
| fender | wing |
| zipper | zip |
Now, test your knowledge with the two quizzes below.
American to British English Vocabulary Quiz
Replace the American English word in italics with a British English word.
- I’d like to hang the drapes tonight. Do you have time?
- We took the elevator to the 10th floor.
- Would you like to see a movie tonight?
- Have you seen Tim’s new apartment yet? It’s very nice.
- Run down to the drug store and buy some aspirin, please.
- Let’s go to the bar and get a drink.
- I’ll take the garbage out before I leave tomorrow morning.
- Take the second exit at the traffic circle.
- Let’s get have some potato chips with lunch.
- Could you hand me the flashlight so I can take a look in the closet?
- Peter wore a pair of slim fitting pants to the party.
- She opened the tap and watered the garden.
- Have you ever worn a vest with a suit?
- I’ll pick up the mail on the way home from work.
- Could you buy me a pair of pantyhose at the mall?
Answers
- curtains
- lift
- film
- flat
- chemist’s
- pub
- rubbish
- roundabout
- crisps
- torch
- trousers
- spigot
- waistcoat
- post
- tights
British to American English Vocabulary Quiz
Replace the British word in italics with an American English word.
- We need to find a public toilet soon.
- Let’s get the pram and take a walk with Jennifer.
- I’m afraid I had a puncture and had to get it fixed.
- Could you bring in that tin of tuna over there?
- He puts his trousers on like any other person.
- She’s very mean with her money. Don’t ask her for any help.
- I generally don’t wear a suit with a waistcoat.
- We should ask a constable for help.
- Let’s go to the off-license and get some whiskey.
- Get on queue and I’ll get us something to eat.
- Grab a tea-towel and clean that up.
- Look at the schedule and see when the train leaves.
- The car has a dent in the wing.
- Choose a sweater from the wardrobe and let’s get going.
- The lights have gone out, and we’ll need a torch.
Answers
- restroom
- baby carriage
- blow-out
- can
- pants
- stingy
- vest
- patrolman
- liquor store
- line
- dish-towel
- time table
- fender
- closet
- flashlight
Final Point
While there may be certain differences between British and American English, the key takeaway is that the two have more similarities. Accidentally using one instead of the other will not automatically lead to miscommunication. Americans and Brits can usually communicate with each other without too much difficulty, so don’t be too hard on yourself if you are unable to memorize the nuances of both languages.
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