American and British English

Although English is generally the same all over the world, there are several differences between British and American English.

1. Spelling:
Sometimes American and British English users spell things differently. Some of the main differences are: (See Picture - Blue Board)

In British English, words that end in -ize or -ization can often also be spelled -ise or -isation, for example both organization and organisation are correct in British English, but the letter z is the correct American spelling. However, the word advertise is always spelt with an s.

2. Vocabulary:
Some words for the same things are different in British and American English. Here are some examples: (See Picture - Green Board)

Sometimes words are neither specifically British or American, but a British or American speaker is more likely to use one word than another. For example, the word angry is correct in British and American English, but Americans usually use the word mad. The phrase a bit is also acceptable in both, but Americans are more likely to say a little. Similarly, British speakers are more likely to use the noun and verb post instead of mail, although mail is correct in both British and American English.

3. Grammar:
There are also some grammatical differences between British and American English, for example when you are choosing the correct preposition to use. Here are some examples:

- British:
You can phone us on 0800 123123.
He looked round the corner.
Her accent is different from/to mine.
- American:
You can phone us at 01 800 555.
He looked around the corner.
Her accent is different from/than mine.

Sometimes, Americans can miss out a preposition when British people would always use one, for example with the verb protest. British speakers would always use the preposition about: Some students were protesting about the war, but the preposition can be missed out in American English: Some students were protesting the war.

4. Pronunciation:
This dictionary shows the standard British English pronunciation, then the standard American English pronunciation after two lines (like this ||).

Some words are stressed in different ways in British English and American English. Look at the entry for address1.
address1 / (e)'dres || (e)'dres, 'ædres / n [C] 1 the details of where someone lives or works, including the number of the building, name of the street, town etc: I forgot to give Damien my new address. 2 a formal speech: the Gettysburg Address

Speakers of American English often say ADDress, whereas speakers of British English always say addRESS.

http://fnflife.blogspot.com/2010/06/1.html

UK vs US spelling: Separated by a Common Language:

Communicating with friends across the pond is a perpetual problem. American and British spelling differences include simple changes that affect the meaning, pronunciation and use of words. Today, native and non-native English speakers are the largest group in the world, but the dialects they speak are shockingly different. Linguists have pinpointed the transition to today’s English to sometime during the 1800s. Noah Webster, the creator of the first and most prestigious American dictionary, published his first lexicon dedicated to US spelling and pronunciation in 1828. British spelling differences and pronunciations are easy to see for ESL students and anyone who interacts with English speakers across the ocean. Here are several examples of common British spelling differences and their US counterparts.

+ Past participles and simple past verbs are often spelled differently. The British spelling typically includes a -t ending for words like smelt, spelt, dreamt, leant and so on while the US spelling uses the –ed form for smelled, spelled, dreamed and leaned.

+ UK spellings favor –re endings while American variations use -er. For example, is it the theatre in the town centre? Or the theater in the town center? Other British –re words include metre and litre.

+ An extra “U” can be found in the British spelling of many words, including favour flavour, labour, neighbour, glamour, colour and vigour. The “OU” combination is also found in the middle of words like mould or moustache. Words like analogue, catalogue and dialogue use –ue endings instead of the abrupt –log ending favored in American variations.

+ The last letter in words ending with an “L” is doubled before the ending when following the UK spelling. Words that follow this rule include signalling, equalling, traveller and many more.

+ The US spelling of many words use –ize as an ending while British spellings favor the ending -ise for words like organise, prioritise, memorise utilise and similar sounding words, such as analyse.

+ Many UK spellings utilize spelling tendencies taken from French and the romantic languages that were incorporated into English after the Battle of Hastings in 1066 and the Norman Conquest led by the Duke of Normandy.

+ Extra E’s are frequently added or retained in British spellings. To avoid common misspellings, remember the French influence in words like cheque, banque and programme. Other words like ageing retain the last –e in their UK spellings.

+ Some words like tyre don’t follow a specific rule. It’s important to remember that tire is typically used as a verb in British English. In general, auto-related vocabulary varies greatly between American and British English.

+ Aluminum is another tricky word. When using British spellings, it’s essential to remember that an extra syllable is added to aluminium.

+ Grey and gray are also commonly confused. The easiest way to remember this one is Americans use an “A” while British speakers use an “E.”

+ The UK spelling of mathematics is always maths while Americans use math.

+ The “C” and “S” switch can be a sticking point when going back and forth between American and British spellings. Remember that most British spellings use a “C” like defence while verbs like practise and license use an “S.”

The most important point to remember is consistency. Many ESL speakers find they have a natural preference for one or the other. Which spelling do you prefer?


http://www.grammar.net/ukvsus

American and British spelling differences include simple changes that affect the meaning, pronunciation, and use of words. Today, native and non-native English speakers are the largest group in the world, but the dialects they speak are shockingly different.