The difference between British & American English...

American English to British English

Sometimes students are confused about differences between American and British English. Generally speaking, it's true that most Americans will understand British English speakers and vice versa. However, as you become more advanced, it's important to decide which form you would prefer to speak.

American - British English Major Differences  

The biggest differences between American and British English are in pronunciation and vocabulary choices. Standard pronunciation in American English is flatter and not nearly as musical as British English. American's speak what is known as General American whereas UK speakers use what's known as Received Pronunciation.
There are a few minor grammar differences between American and British English, most notably differences in past simple and present perfect usage with words such as 'just' and 'already, as well as a few past participles such as 'gotten' in American English and 'got' in British English. There are also a few minor spelling differences between the two.

While there are certainly many more varieties of English, American English and British English are the two varieties that are taught in most ESL programs. Generally, it is agreed that no one version is "correct" however, there are certainly preferences in use. The three major differences between between American and British English are:

• Pronunciation - differences in both vowel and consonants, as well as stress and intonation
• Vocabulary - differences in nouns and verbs, especially phrasal verb usage
• Spelling - differences are generally found in certain prefix and suffix forms

The most important rule of thumb is to try to be consistent in your usage. If you decide that you want to use American English spellings then be consistent in your spelling (i.e. The color of the orange is also its flavour - color is American spelling and flavour is British), this is of course not always easy - or possible. The following guide is meant to point out the principal differences between these two varieties of English.

Use of the Present Perfect

In British English the present perfect is used to express an action that has occurred in the recent past that has an effect on the present moment. For example:

I've lost my key. Can you help me look for it?
In American English the following is also possible:
I lost my key. Can you help me look for it?

In British English the above would be considered incorrect. However, both forms are generally accepted in standard American English. Other differences involving the use of the present perfect in British English and simple past in American English include already, just and yet.

British English:

I've just had lunch
I've already seen that film
Have you finished your homework yet?

American English:

I just had lunch OR I've just had lunch
I've already seen that film OR I already saw that film.
Have your finished your homework yet? OR Did you finish your homework yet?

Possession

There are two forms to express possession in English. Have or Have got

Do you have a car?
Have you got a car?
He hasn't got any friends.
He doesn't have any friends.
She has a beautiful new home.
She's got a beautiful new home.

While both forms are correct (and accepted in both British and American English), have got (have you got, he hasn't got, etc.) is generally the preferred form in British English while most speakers of American English employ the have (do you have, he doesn't have etc.)

The Verb Get

The past participle of the verb get is gotten in American English. Example He's gotten much better at playing tennis. British English - He's got much better at playing tennis.

Vocabulary

Probably the major differences between British and American English lies in the choice of vocabulary. Some words mean different things in the two varieties for example:

Mean: (American English - angry, bad humored, British English - not generous, tight fisted)

Rubber: (American English - condom, British English - tool used to erase pencil markings)

There are many more examples (too many for me to list here). If there is a difference in usage, your dictionary will note the different meanings in its definition of the term. Many vocabulary items are also used in one form and not in the other. One of the best examples of this is the terminology used for automobiles.

• American English - hood
  British English - bonnet
• American English - trunk
  British English - boot
• American English - truck
  British English - lorry

Once again, your dictionary should list whether the term is used in British English or American English.

For a more complete list of the vocabulary differences between British and American English use this British vs. American English vocabulary tool.

Prepositions

There are also a few differences in preposition use including the following:

• American English - on the weekend
  British English - at the weekend
• American English - on a team
  British English - in a team
• American English - please write me soon
  British English - please write to me soon

Past Simple/Past Participles

The following verbs have two acceptable forms of the past simple/past participle in both American and British English, however, the irregular form is generally more common in British English (the first form of the two) and the regular form is more common to American English.

• 
  
• Burn
  Burnt OR burned
• Dream
  dreamt OR dreamed
• Lean
  leant OR leaned
• Learn
  learnt OR learned
• Smell
  smelt OR smelled
• Spell
  spelt OR spelled
• Spill
  spilt OR spilled
• Spoil
  spoilt OR spoiled

Spelling

Here are some general differences between British and American spellings:

Words ending in -or (American) -our (British) color, colour, humor, humour, flavor, flavour etc.
Words ending in -ize (American) -ise (British) recognize, recognise, patronize, patronise etc.

The best way to make sure that you are being consistent in your spelling is to use the spell check on your word processor (if you are using the computer of course) and choose which variety of English you would like. As you can see, there are really very few differences between standard British English and standard American English. However, the largest difference is probably that of the choice of vocabulary and pronunciation.

American - British Vocabulary Differences

The following list provides American English equivalents to British English words which are arranged in alphabetical order.

American English	British English
antenna	aerial
mad	angry
anyplace	anywhere
fall	autumn
bill	bank note
attorney	barrister, solicitor
cookie	biscuit
hood	bonnet
trunk	boot
suspenders	braces
janitor	caretaker
drug store	chemist's
french fries	chips
the movies	the cinema
rubber	condom
patrolman	constable
stove	cooker
wheat	corn, wheat
crib	cot
thread	cotton
wreck	crash
intersection	crossroads
drapes	curtains
checkers	draughts
thumbtack	drawing-pin
divided highway	dual carriageway
pacifier	dummy
trashcan	dust-bin, rubbish-bin
garbage can	dustbin, rubbish-bin
garbage collector	dustman
generator	dynamo
motor	engine
engineer	engine driver
movie	film
apartment	flat
overpass	flyover
yard	garden
gear-lshift	gear-lever
alumnus	graduate
boiler	grill
first floor	ground floor
rubbers	gumshoes, wellington boots
sneakers	gymshoes, tennis-shoes
purse	handbag
billboard	hoarding
vacation	holiday
vacuum cleaner	hoover
sick	ill
intermission	interval
sweater	jersey, jumper, pullover, sweater
pitcher	jug
elevator	lift
truck	lorry
baggage	luggage
raincoat	mackintosch, raincoat
crazy	mad
highway	main road
corn	maize
math	maths
stingy	mean
freeway	motorway
diaper	nappy
vicious, mean	nasty
noplace	nowhere
private hospital	nursing home
optometrist	oculltist, optician
liquor store	off-license
kerosene	paraffin
sidewalk	pavement
peek	peep
gasoline	petrol
mail	post
mailbox	postbox
mailman, mail carrier	postman
potato chips	potato crisps
baby carriage	pram
bar	pub
rest room	public toilet
blow-out	puncture
stroller	push-chair
line	queue
railroad	railway
railway car	railway carriage
spool of thread	reel of cotton
round trip	return (ticket)
call collect	reverse charges
raise	rise (in salary)
pavement	road surface
traffic circle	roudabout
eraser	rubber
garbage, trash	rubbish
sedan	saloon (car)
Scotch tape	sellotape
store	shop
muffler	silencer
one-way	single (ticket)
someplace	somewhere
wrench	spanner
faculty	staff (of a university)
oil-pan	sump
dessert	sweet
candy	sweets
faucet	tap
spigot	tap (outdoors)
cab	taxi
dish-towel	tea-towel
semester	term
panti-hose	tights
schedule	timetable
can	tin
turnpike	toll motorway
flashlight	torch
hobo	tramp
pants	trousers
cuffs	turn-ups
subway	underground railway
shorts	underpants
shoulder (of road)	verge (of road)
vest	waistcoat
closet	wardrobe
wash up	wash your hands
windshield	windscreen
fender	wing
zipper	zip

I might have skipped some unintentionally, however these will give a clear understanding.

American to British English Quiz

Replace the American English word in italics with a British English word.

1. I'd like to hang the drapes tonight. Do you have time?
2. We took the elevator to the 10th floor.
3. Would you like to see a movie tonight?
4. Have you seen Tim's new apartment yet? It's very nice.
5. Run down to the drug store and buy some aspirin please. 
6. Let's go to the bar and get a drink.
7. I'll take the garbage out before I leave tomorrow morning.
8. Take the second exit at the traffic circle.
9. Let's get have some potato chips with lunch. 
10. Could you hand me the flashlight so I can take a look in the closet?

Answers

1. curtains
2. lift
3. film
4. flat
5. chemist's
6. pub
7. rubbish
8. roundabout
9. crisps
10. torch

British to American English Quiz

Replace the British word in italics with an American English word.

1. We need to find a public toilet soon.
2. Let's get the pram and take a walk with Jennifer. 
3. I'm afraid I had a puncture and had to get it fixed.
4. Could you bring in that tin of tuna over there?
5. He puts his trousers on like any other person.
6. She's very mean with her money. Don't ask her for any help.
7. I generally don't wear a suit with a waistcoat.
8. We should ask a constable for help.
9. Let's go to the off-license and get some whiskey. 
10. Get on queue and I'll get us something to eat.

Answers

1. rest room
2. baby carriage
3. blow-out
4. can
5. pants
6. stingy
7. vest
8. patrolman
9. liquor store
10. line

 Happy Knowing Folks!!!