Difference Between American and British English

Main Difference – American vs British English  

British English is the form of English used in the United Kingdom whereas American English is the form of English used in the United States. American English and British English are the two most popular language varieties that are learned by many English learners. Although there are many similarities between American and British English, some differences can be seen between American and British English in pronunciations, spellings, vocabularies and grammar. In this article, we’ll look at some of the differences based on these categories.

Difference Between American and British English in Spelling

The common spelling differences between American and British English fall under the following categories.

–or (American) = –our (British)

Ex: color/colour , favorite/ favourite

–er (American) = –re (British)

Ex: meter/ metre, theater/theatre

–se (American) = –ce (British)

Ex: license/licence, defense/defence

–ize (American) = –ise (British) 

Ex: globalize/globalise, agonize/agonise

–yze (American) = –yse (British)

Ex: analyze/analyse, recognize/recognise

–og (American) = –ogue (British)

Ex: dialog/dialogue, analog/ analogue

Some other differences can be also seen in the spellings of American and British English.

Difference Between American and British English in Grammar

Some differences can be also found in the grammar of the two language varieties. The past tense endings of irregular verbs is such a difference. Some irregular verbs in British English that end in the letter t (Ex: learnt, dreamt, burnt, etc.) are always used by American’s with an –ed. (learned, burned, dreamed, etc.)

The use of past perfect is another example of the grammatical difference between American and British English. In British English, past perfect is used to refer to an action that has occurred in the recent past. But in American English, past tense is also used to describe such actions. For example,

In British English: I’ve lost my book.

In American English: I lost my book.

Collective nouns are another difference between American and British English. In British English, collective nouns can be either singular or plural whereas, in American English, they are always singular.

Some differences can be noted in the use of prepositions as well. The following examples will give you a clearer picture of the differences in prepositions.

In British English: at the weekend

In American English: on the weekend

In British English:  Please write to me.

In American English: Please write me.

In British English: at high school

In American English: in high school

American English

Difference Between American and British English in Vocabulary

Vocabulary is a major difference between American and British English. Some words have different meanings in American English and British English; for example:

Closet

In American English: A cabinet or wardrobe            In British English:  Any small room

Rubber

In American English: condom                                      In British English: eraser

The differences between such terms are usually indicated in dictionaries. There are also occasions where one term is preferred over the other in one variety; for example,  the term ‘bonnet’ in British English is equivalent to ‘hood’ in American English. The following table gives some examples of such words.

Difference Between American and British English in Pronunciation

A difference in pronunciation can also be noted between American English and British English. Differences can be noted in stress, intonation, and accent. Moreover, American English is rhotic; the r is pronounced at the end of a syllable or before a consonant. Given below are some examples of differently pronounced words in American and British English.

Although there are differences between American and British English, an American can easily understand what is being said by a British and vice versa.

Reference:

“How is your English? Research shows Americanisms AREN’T taking over the British language” by Chris Hastings via Dailymail