Knowing the differences between British and American English will help you when you travel to these English-speaking countries or watch any films or tv series. British and American English are two major dialects and there are some big differences between vocabulary, grammar, spelling and pronunciation.
Key differences between British and American English
Vocabulary Differences
Below are some examples of key differences in vocabulary between British and American English. There are also many more examples not listed here.
British: mobile phone American: cell phone
The device that we all use to communicate with people via text messages or phone calls is called a 'mobile' in British English and a 'cell' in American English.
British: biscuit American: cookie
In British English, biscuit is a general common noun to describe a baked dough with a variety of flavours. Whereas, a cookie in British English is a type of biscuit. In American English, a cookie is the general common noun and a biscuit is a type of American scone.
British: flat American: apartment
In British English a tall building that people live in are called flats. The same tall buildings in American English are apartments.
British: curtains American: drapes
The material that people use to cover the windows in houses are called curtains in British English and drapes in American English.
British: lift American: elevator
The object people use in shops and buildings to take you up to higher floors is called a lift in British English and an elevator in American English.
British: rubbish American trash
The objects people want to discard and throw away in the bin is called rubbish in British English and trash in American English.
British: sweets American: candy
The sweet, sugary foods we like to eat after dinner or for treats are called sweets in British English and they are called candy in American English.
British: holiday American: vacation
In British English, a holiday is when you travel to different places or countries and you stay there for a period of time (usually 1-2weeks). In American English, this is called vacation. A holiday in American English is the particular times of year such as Halloween, Christmas, Thanksgiving etc.
British: crisps American: chips
The thin potato fried or baked food eaten as a snack are called crisps in British English and they are called chips in American English.
British: chips American: fries
The long rectangular pieces of deep-fried potato are called chips in British English and they are called fries in American English.
British: football American: soccer
The sport where a team of 11 try to score a goal against another team of 11 with their feet is called football in British English and is called soccer in American English.
Spelling Differences
Below are some spelling differences and common patterns between common words as well as exceptions.
British: our American: or
Example words:
British - flavour, colour, behaviour
American - color, flavor, behavior
British: re American: er
Example words:
British - centre, litre, kilometre, theatre
American - center, liter, kilometer, theater
British: ise American: ize
Example words:
British - realise, organise, dramatise, recognise,
American - realize, organize, dramatize, recognize
British: double consonants in verbs American: single consonants in verbs
Example words:
British - travelling, cancelled, modelling
American - traveling, canceled, modeling
British: ogue American: og
Example words:
British - dialogue, catalogue, monologue
American: dialog, catalog, monolog
British: ce American: se
Example words:
British - defence, offence, licence (noun)
American - defense, offense, license (noun)
License in American English is the same spelling for the noun and verb. However, licence in British English is the noun spelling and license is the verb spelling.
Grammar Differences
Below are some key differences in the way grammar is used in sentences.
Present perfect v past simple
British - I have just eaten
American - I just ate
In British English, the present perfect tense is more commonly used with adverbs such as already, just, yet and in American English, the past simple is generally used instead of the present perfect.
Prepositions
Prepositions are used slightly differently in British and American English, have a look at the below examples. The sentence meanings are the same, just using different prepositions.
British - She is at university. I'll see you at the weekend.
American - She is in college. I'll see you on the weekend.
Shall v will
In British English, 'shall' is used more commonly in formal writing and for making suggestions and future actions. In American English, 'will' is more commonly used for everyone and everything.
British - I shall go to the meeting. We shall meet at 10am.
American - I will go to the meeting. We will meet at 10am.
Past simple v present perfect for recent actions
When talking about recent actions that have recently finished but relate to the present, British English uses the present perfect tense whereas American English uses past simple. In British English, these recent actions are common to use with words such as: yet, already and just. In American English, it is more common to use these adverbs with the past simple tense.
British - Have you finished your dinner yet?
American - Did you finish your dinner yet?
Collective nouns
In British English, collective nouns are can be used as singular or plural verbs depending on whether the subject is viewed as a group or individual, whereas in American English, all collective nouns are used with the singular verb.
British - The team are winning. (The team are seen as individuals)
American - The team is winning.
Got v Gotten
In British English, 'got' is more commonly used as the past simple and past participle of the verb 'get'. In American English, 'gotten' is more commonly used as the past participle of the verb 'get'.
British - I have got it.
American - I have gotten it.
Adverb placement
In British English, adverbs are more commonly placed after the verb 'have' and before the past participle verb, whereas in American English, adverbs are placed after the subject and before the verb 'have' or at the end.
British - He has probably gone.
American - He probably has gone.
Pronunciation Differences
Below are some common pronunciation differences between British and American English.
Pronouncing the 'R' sound
In British English, it is common to not pronounce the 'r' in words unless it is followed by a vowel and the sound is often silent.
For example, "car" /kɑː/ (the "r" is silent).
In American English, the 'r' sound is pronounced in all words more clearly.
For example, "car" /kɑr/ (with a pronounced "r").
Pronouncing the 'T' sound
In British English, the 't' is pronounced clearly in all words and is heard distinctly.
For example, "better" /ˈbɛtə/ (with a clear "t").
In American English, the 't' sound is often softened and is heard like a quick 'd' instead.
For example, "better" /ˈbɛɾər/ (sounds like "bedder").
Yod-dropping
In British English, we tend to keep the /j/ (yod) sound in certain words after consonants like 'n', 't' and 'd'.
For example, 'news' /njuːz/ (sounds like "nyooz").
In American English, the /j/ (yod) sound is often dropped.
For example, "news" /nuz/ (sounds like "nooz").
Stress differences
Some words are stressed differently in British and American English. Here are some examples:
British: "advertisement" /ədˈvɜːtɪsmənt/ (stress on the second syllable)
American: "advertisement" /ˌædvərˈtaɪzmənt/ (stress on the third syllable)
British: "garage" /ˈɡærɑːʒ/ or /ˈɡærɪdʒ/ (stress on the first syllable)
American: "garage" /ɡəˈrɑːʒ/ (stress on the second syllable)
Conclusion
As you can see there are many differences between British and American English and more! Although both dialects are widely understood around the world, understanding these differences is crucial when travelling to these countries so you can be understood correctly and it will enhance your communication.
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