British Or American English
British or American English? Which one do you prefer? We'll never agree - ever. However, because I ghost write for a lot of American bodies, (or foreign companies who want to sound American) I have to be really careful how I spell - depending on who I'm writing for. I don't always get it right. Many times I forget and switch the spelling for the wrong crowd. I grew up in a former British colony and now live in England as a British subject. However, because I work on the Internet, I constantly have to use Americanized versions of words. Would you know the difference if you saw them? Let's look at some common British versus American English spelling. You should never get them wrong again! :-)
Additional reading: Speak English With Confidence (for foreigners learning English)
Free, Quick English Lessons Online (for foreigners who speak English and English speakers who want to brush up on grammar, punctuation etc.
As with everything in the English language in general, please note that there are exceptions to most rules. The words featured below are in no way representative 'across-the-board'.
Some common words to watch out for when you write/speak:
UK - 'Trousers' meaning trousers and 'Pants' meaning underpants
US - 'Pants' meaning trousers.
UK - 'Pavement' meaning the place at the side of the road (where you walk)
US - 'Pavement' meaning where you drive. (You walk on the 'side walk').
UK - Cheque
US - Check
And don't get caught out with these common miss-used words in English. (link takes you to another page on this blog)
Cancelled (British) and Canceled (American)
Grey (British) and Gray (American)
Manoeuvre (British) and Maneuver (American)
You'll also want to read: Common Spelling Mistakes on Your Blog
You're and Your
If you enjoyed 'British or American English' please share it with others on your social networking site or send it to someone who's having a hard time telling the difference between the two. Which of these differences gives you more grief? For me it's definitely 'ense' and 'ence' ones.
Additional reading: Speak English With Confidence (for foreigners learning English)
Free, Quick English Lessons Online (for foreigners who speak English and English speakers who want to brush up on grammar, punctuation etc.
British or American English
As with everything in the English language in general, please note that there are exceptions to most rules. The words featured below are in no way representative 'across-the-board'.
Verbs ending in 'ise' and 'ize'
UK - Organise
US - Organize
UK - Realise
US - Realize
Verbs ending in 'yse' and 'yze'
UK - Analyse
US - Analyze
UK - Paralyse
US - Paralyze
Nouns ending in 'our' and 'or'
UK - Neighbour
US - Neighbor
UK - Colour
US - Color
Nouns ending in 'ence' and 'ense'
UK - Licence (except when used as a verb)
US - License
UK - Defence (exceptions to this rule)
US - Defense
Words ending in 'er'
UK - Centre
US - Center
UK - Metre (except for something like a 'gas meter')
US - Meter
UK - 'Trousers' meaning trousers and 'Pants' meaning underpants
US - 'Pants' meaning trousers.
UK - 'Pavement' meaning the place at the side of the road (where you walk)
US - 'Pavement' meaning where you drive. (You walk on the 'side walk').
UK - Cheque
US - Check
And don't get caught out with these common miss-used words in English. (link takes you to another page on this blog)
Cancelled (British) and Canceled (American)
Grey (British) and Gray (American)
Manoeuvre (British) and Maneuver (American)
You'll also want to read: Common Spelling Mistakes on Your Blog
You're and Your
If you enjoyed 'British or American English' please share it with others on your social networking site or send it to someone who's having a hard time telling the difference between the two. Which of these differences gives you more grief? For me it's definitely 'ense' and 'ence' ones.
8 comments:
Also 'gotten'. And 'holler' for yell or shout.
Yeah, Keef. I love 'holler'. The word just makes me smile. It's got a certain ring to it. :-)
Oh I love it!
I've had a post like this ready to go forever.
I speak British! And so I love to play the British against American way of spelling. Ooh I wreaked havoc on my teachers on school when it was time for spelling tests!
So many memories :)
Would've been fun to watch from a corner of your classroom, Colette.:-)
I had so much fun reading this one. So UK uses S more than Z. Hmmmnn, thanks for sharing this Anne.
Yes. And don't forget we like the extra 'ou' too, C :-) Thanks for popping by.
I recognize some of the British words when I come across them..and I like some phrases that British said too.
I suppose the only differences aren't the spelling. They're a lot to do with how these nations say words and express themselves.
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