British and American English: 100+ Important Differences Illustrated

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There are several main differences in vocabulary between British and American English. Some of these include:

• Different terms for the same object or concept: For example, British English uses the word “lorry” for a large truck, while American English uses the word “truck.” Similarly, a “biscuit” in British English is a “cookie” in American English.
• Different words for common items: For example, British English uses the word “sweets” for candy, while American English uses the word “candy.” Similarly, a “flat” in British English is an “apartment” in American English.
• Different words for certain professions: For example, British English uses the word “solicitor” for a lawyer, while American English uses the word “attorney.” Similarly, a “chemist” in British English is a “pharmacist” in American English.
• Different words for certain clothing items: For example, British English uses the word “trousers” for pants, while American English uses the word “pants.” Similarly, a “jumper” in British English is a “sweater” in American English.
• Different words for certain food items: For example, British English uses the word “aubergine” for eggplant, while American English uses the word “eggplant.” Similarly, a “courgette” in British English is a “zucchini” in American English.

American and British English | Vocabulary Differences

U.S. – U.K

1. cookie – biscuit

2. cart – trolley

3. diaper – nappy

4. flashlight – torch

5. face – slappy ham

6. fries – chips

7. chips – crisps

8. airplane – aeroplane

9. apartment – flat

10. busy – engaged

11. cab – taxi

12. can – tin

13. candy – sweets

14. check – bill

15. doctor’s office – doctor’s surgery

16. eraser – rubber

17. fall – autumn

18. soccer – football

19. movie – film

20. mail – post

21. garbage – rubbish

22. zipper – zip

23. sneakers – trainers

24. cell phone – mobile phone

25. vacation – holiday

26. gas – petrol

27. restroom – toilet

28. math – maths

29. yard – garden

30. purse – handbag

31. trailer – caravan

American vs. British Vocabulary Differences

American and British English | Spelling Differences

Here is the list of differences between British and American English in spelling:

U.S. – U.K

1. center – centre

2. meter – metre

3. theater – theatre

4. check – cheque

5. checker – chequer

6. analyze – analyse

7. criticize – criticise

8. color – colour

9. favorite – favourite

10. honor – honour

11. dialog – dialogue

12. catalog– catalogue

13. defense – defence

14. license – licence

15. practise – practice

16. neighbor – neighbour

17. jewelry – jewellery

18.pajamas – pyjamas

19. whiskey – whisky

20. learned – learnt

21. fulfill – fulfil

22. dreamed – dreamt

23. mustache – moustache

American vs. British Spelling Differences

American and British English | Grammatical Differences

Here is the list of differences between British and American English in grammar:

U.S. – U.K

1. take a vacation – go on holiday

2. go downtown – visit a city centre

3. take a bath – have a bath

4. set the table – lay the table

5. raise a child – bring up a child

6. get a driver’s license – get a driving licence

7. I demanded that he apologize. – I demanded that he should apologise.

8. We insisted that something be done about the problem. – We insisted that something should be done about the problem.

10. You have? – Have you?

11. She isn’t? – Isn’t she?

12. in the hospital – in hospital

13. month/ day/ year – day/ month/ year

14. She has an interesting book. – She has got an interesting book.

15. Sam just went home. – Sam’s just gone home.

American vs. British Grammatical Differences

Differences Between American and British English

The following general categories of difference between standard British English (SBE) and standard American English (SAE)

• Spelling
• Pronunciation {accent} {affixes} {stress}
• Grammar
• Vocabulary

American vs. British Spelling

American and British English have some spelling differences. These differences are primarily in vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. However, some words have different spellings in American and British English. Here are a few examples:

• color vs. colour
• center vs. centre
• traveling vs. travelling
• analyze vs. analyse
• check vs. cheque
• defense vs. defence
• catalog vs. catalogue
• theater vs. theatre
• traveled vs. travelled
• realize vs. realise
• fulfill vs. fulfil
• defense vs. defence
• jewelry vs. jewellery
• tire vs. tyre
• plow vs. plough

American English uses -or in words like color, honor, and labor. British English uses -our in words like colour, honour, and labour.

American English uses -er in words like center, theater, and meter. British English uses -re in words like centre, theatre, and metre.

American English uses -ize in words like organize, realize, and legalize. British English uses -ise in words like organise, realise, and legalise.

American English uses -ogue in words like dialogue, analogue and catalogue. British English uses -og in words like dialogue, analogue and catalogue.

American English uses -yze as a suffix in words like analyze, while British English uses -yse.

American English uses single L in words like traveled, while British English uses double L in words like travelled.

American English uses -ck in words like checkered, while British English uses -que in words like chequered

American English uses -ll in words like skilful while British English uses -l.

Differences between American and British English – Spelling

American vs. British Grammar

American and British English have some differences in grammar, though the differences are generally not as significant as those in vocabulary and pronunciation. Here are a few examples of grammar differences between American and British English:

• American English tends to use the present perfect less frequently than British English. Americans tend to use the past simple in situations where a British person might use the present perfect.
• In American English, collective nouns are treated as singular, whereas in British English, collective nouns can be treated as singular or plural depending on the context.
• American English uses the subjunctive mood less frequently than British English. The subjunctive is used to express doubt, possibility, or necessity in a sentence and is used more frequently in British English.
• In American English, collective nouns such as team, group, staff, are usually treated as singular, and therefore take singular verbs and pronouns. However, in British English, collective nouns take a plural verb when the group is considered as a whole and a singular verb when the group is considered individually.
• American English uses the phrase “gotten” to indicate the past participle of “get” while in British English “gotten” is not used and “got” is used for both past and past participle.

Differences between American and British English – Grammar

American vs. British Vocabulary

American and British English have some differences in vocabulary. These differences are primarily in terms of spelling and meaning. Here are a few examples of vocabulary differences between American and British English:

• truck vs. lorry
• apartment vs. flat
• sidewalk vs. pavement
• candy vs. sweets
• diaper vs. nappy
• elevator vs. lift
• cookie vs. biscuit
• line vs. queue
• flashlight vs. torch
• drugstore vs boots
• parking lot vs. car park
• vacation vs. holiday
• gas vs. petrol
• sidewalk vs. pavement
• cab vs. taxi
• mail vs. post
• candy vs. sweets
• faucet vs. tap
• closet vs. wardrobe
• chips vs. crisps
• diaper vs. nappy
• pants vs. trousers
• cell phone vs. mobile phone
• eraser vs. rubber

Differences between American and British English – Vocabulary

Differences between American and British English | Pictures

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