2. History of British vs American English
The English language was introduced
to America through British
colonization in the early 17th century.
It also spread to many other parts of
the world because of the strength of
the British empire. Over the years,
English spoken in the United States
and in Britain started diverging from
each other in various aspects.
3. American vs British English
American English (AmE)
is the form of English
used in the United
States. It includes all
English dialects used
within United States of
America.
General American (GA)
is considered to be
“standard” or
“accentless”
British English (BrE) is the
form of English used in the
United Kingdom. It includes
all English dialects used
within the United Kingdom.
In the United Kingdom,
Received Pronunciation (RP)
is considered “standard”
it is also called the
Queen’s English and BBC
English.
5. Pronunciation
The British accent was created by a mixture of the
Midland and Southern dialects of the Middle Ages.
There are many sub-dialects and varying accents
British English.
American English was not so strongly influenced by
the accent as Australia or New Zealand, for example –
the Americas broke away from British control much
earlier and were distanced from direct speakers of the
language as a result.
6. Pronunciation
British English = non-rhotic;
American English = rhotic
This means that “R” is only pronounced in British
English when it is immediately followed by a vowel
sound.
“R” in British English is either not pronounced or
replaced with a schwa.
7. Spelling Differences
Many of these spelling differences result from French
influence on English.
British English has a tendency to keep the spelling of
many words of French origin.
Americans try to spell words more closely to the way
they sound phonetically and they tend to omit some
letters.
9. Spelling Difference
AMERICAN – “-or” BRITISH – “ our”
Color Colour
Honor Honour
Favorite Favourite
AMERICAN – “ze” BRITISH – “-se”
Analyze Analyse
Criticize Criticise
Memorize Memorise
AMERICAN -”-ll” BRITISH- “-l”
Enrollment Enrolment
Fulfill Fulfil
Skillful Skilful
10. Spelling Differences
AMERICAN -”- er” BRITISH – “ re”
Center Centre
Meter Metre
Theater Theatre
AMERICAN - “ck” or “k” BRITISH – “- que”
Bank Banque
Check Cheque
AMERICAN – “ –og” BRITISH- “ – ogue”
Analog Analogue
Catalog Catalogue
Dialog Dialogue
11. Spelling Differences
AMERICAN – “-e” BRITISH – “- oe” or “ – ae”
Encyclopedia Encyclopaedia
Maneuver Manouvre
Medieval Mediaeval
AMERICAN - “- ense” BRITISH – “ence”
License Licence
Defense Difence
12. Grammar
Tenses
British English employs the present perfect to talk
about a recent event
(I’ve already eaten,” “I’ve just arrived home.)
Auxiliaries
British English often uses “shall” and “shan’t”
American English uses “will” and “won’t”
13. Simple past tense for present perfect
Speakers of American English generally use the present
perfect tense (have/has + past participle) far less than
speakers of British English. In spoken American English
it is very common to use the simple past tense as an
alternative in situations where the present perfect would
usually have been used in British English.
14. Examples
I have lost my keys
Have you finished your
work?
I‘ve already seen that
film
I‘ve just had lunch.
I lost my keys.
Did you finish your
work?
I already saw that
film.
I just had lunch.
15. Adverbs
Americans tend to use adjectives "That‟s really good" you might
hear them say "That‟s real good" or instead of "I’m doing very
well" they say I’m doing pretty good".
He did that really
quickly.
Let’s take things
slowly
Her car drives more
quickly
He did that real quick.
Let’s take things slow.
Her car drives quicker.
17. Vocabulary
American and British English sometimes have different
words for the same things.
Biscuits
Autumn
Lift
Lorry
Handbag
Taxi
Trousers
Petrol
Sweets
Queue
Chips
Film
Cookies
Fall
Elevator
Truck
Purse
Cab
Pants
Gas
Candies
Line
French Fries
Movie
