Difference Between British and American English
The list below highlights the difference between British English and American English.
Apart from the spelling differences you can see those by clicking on the USA - UK differences at the left hand side of this page - there are a number of differences in vocabulary listed below.
I suggest you look them over because you never know when you may run into an American after studying British English, or when you may run into a Brit after having studied American English.
Apart from the spelling differences you can see those by clicking on the USA - UK differences at the left hand side of this page - there are a number of differences in vocabulary listed below.
I suggest you look them over because you never know when you may run into an American after studying British English, or when you may run into a Brit after having studied American English.
Having been to England a number of times now myself, I can assure you that the difference between American and British vocabulary are just enough to cause a few laughs.
Well, maybe a few... misunderstandings. ;-)
What's important to remember?
That both British English and American English are accepted on the examinations as long as you consistently use either one or the other. In other words, don't mix!
Common Differences
English American English
- all right all right, alright (disputed)
- analyse analyze
- centre center
- cheque check
- colour color
- counsellor counselor
- criticise, criticize criticize
- defence defense
- doughnut donut
- favour favor
- fibre fiber
- flavour flavor
- fulfil fulfill
- grey gray
- honour honor
- humour humor
- jewellery jewellery, jewelry
- judgement, judgment judgment
- kerb curb
- labour labor
- license, licence (verb)
- licence (noun) license (verb)
- license (noun)
- litre liter
- metre meter
- mould mold
- neighbour neighbor
- offence offense
- practise (verb)
- practice (noun) practice (verb)
- practice (noun)
- pretence pretense
- programme program
- pyjamas pajamas
- realise, realize realize
- savour savor
- speciality specialty
- theatre theater
- travelled
- travelling travelled, traveled
- travelling, traveling
- tyre tire
- valour valor
0 comments