Difference between British and American English PDF

Difference between British and American English PDF for free download. As two of the most widely spoken languages in the world, British and American English have many similarities, but also some notable differences. In particular, the vocabulary used in each dialect can vary quite significantly. In this blog, we will explore some of the key differences between British and American English vocabulary, with examples.

Difference between British and American English

Spelling differences

One of the most noticeable differences between British and American English is in spelling. Here are some examples of words that are spelled differently:

British EnglishAmerican English
-oe-/-ae- (e.g. anaemia, diarrhoea, encyclopaedia)-e- (e.g. anemia, diarrhea, encyclopedia)
-t (e.g. burnt, dreamt, leapt)-ed (e.g. burned, dreamed, leaped)
-ence (e.g. defence, offence, licence)-ense (defense, offense, license)
-ell- (e.g. cancelled, jeweller, marvellous)-el- (e.g. canceled, jeweler, marvelous)
-ise (e.g. appetiser, familiarise, organise)-ize (e.g. appetizer, familiarize, organize)
-l- (e.g. enrol, fulfil, skilful)-ll- (e.g. enroll, fulfill, skillfull)
-ogue (e.g. analogue, monologue, catalogue)-og (e.g. analog, monolog, catalog)*Note that American English also recognizes words spelled with –ogue
-ou (e.g. colour, behaviour, mould)-o (e.g. color, behavior, mold)
-re (e.g. metre, fibre, centre)-er (e.g. meter, fiber, center)
-y- (e.g. tyre)-i- (e.g. tire)

More Spelling differences with Definition

British EnglishAmerican EnglishDefinition
aeoneonan indefinite and very long period of time
ageingagingthe process of getting older
archaeologyarcheologythe study of human history and prehistory through the excavation and analysis of artifacts, structures, and other physical remains
caesiumcesiuma soft, silvery-white metal element with the symbol Cs and atomic number 55
cataloguecataloga list of items, often with brief descriptions, that is used for reference or ordering
chequechecka written order directing a bank to pay money
defencedefensethe action of defending from or resisting attack
dialoguedialoga conversation between two or more people
doughnutdonuta sweet, fried pastry usually shaped like a ring
favouritefavoritepreferred or liked above all others
greygraya color between black and white
harbourharbora place on the coast where boats and ships can take refuge from the weather or are loaded and unloaded
honourhonorhigh respect or esteem
humourhumorthe quality of being amusing or comical
jewelleryjewelrydecorative items worn for personal adornment, such as necklaces, bracelets, and earrings
kerbcurba raised edge along the side of a street or sidewalk
litrelitera metric unit of capacity equal to one cubic decimeter
metremetera metric unit of length equal to 100 centimeters
neighbourneighbora person living next door or nearby
programmeprograma planned series of events or performances, especially on television or radio
pyjamaspajamasloose-fitting, comfortable clothing worn for sleeping or lounging
recogniserecognizeidentify or acknowledge someone or something as previously known or seen
tyretirea rubber covering for a wheel, usually made of synthetic or natural rubber
whiskerwhiskerany of the long, stiff hairs growing on the face of a cat, mouse, or other mammal
woollenwoolenmade of or resembling wool

Vocabulary differences

There are many words that are used in British English that are not commonly used in American English, and vice versa. Here are some examples:

British EnglishAmerican EnglishDefinition
biscuitcookiea small, sweet baked item usually eaten as a snack
boottrunkthe enclosed storage area in the back of a car
chemistdrugstorea shop where you can buy medicines, cosmetics, and toiletries
crispschipsthin, salty snack food made from potatoes
dustbingarbage can/trash cana container for household waste
estate agentreal estate agenta person who buys and sells houses or other property
flatmateroommatea person who shares an apartment or house with others
footballsoccera sport played with a ball and feet
fortnighttwo weeksa period of 14 days
jumpersweatera knitted garment worn on the upper body
liftelevatora machine that moves people or goods up and down floors
lorrytrucka large vehicle used for transporting goods
mobile phonecell phonea portable electronic device used for making calls and sending messages
motorwayhighway/freewaya multi-lane road designed for high-speed traffic
nappydiapera garment worn by a baby to absorb waste
petrolgasa liquid fuel used in cars and other vehicles
pavementsidewalka path for pedestrians at the side of a road
queuelinea line of people waiting for something, usually in order
railwayrailroada system of tracks and trains used for transportation
takeawaytakeoutfood that is prepared in a restaurant or cafe and taken away to be eaten elsewhere
taxicaba car that is hired to take passengers to a destination
torchflashlighta portable electric light that runs on batteries
trouserspantsa garment worn on the lower body
trolleyshopping carta wheeled cart used for carrying groceries or other items
universitycollegean institution of higher education that offers degrees
windscreenwindshieldthe front window of a vehicle
zipzippera device used for fastening clothing or bags

Pronunciation differences

In addition to differences in spelling and vocabulary, there are also some differences in pronunciation. Here are some examples:

British EnglishAmerican EnglishDefinition
advertisementadvertiz-menta notice or announcement in a public medium promoting a product, service, or event
aluminiumal-yoo-MIN-ee-uma silver-white, metallic chemical element with the symbol Al and atomic number 13
controversycon-truh-VER-seeprolonged public disagreement or heated discussion
dataDAY-tuhfacts and statistics collected together for reference or analysis
herbHURBany plant with leaves, seeds, or flowers used for flavoring, food, medicine, or perfume
mobileMOH-bileable to move or be moved freely or easily
privacyPRY-vuh-seethe state of being free from public attention or observation
scheduleSHED-yoola plan for carrying out a process or procedure, often with a timeline
tomatotuh-MAY-toha red or yellowish fruit with a juicy pulp, used as a vegetable in cooking
vasevahza decorative container, typically made of glass or porcelain, used for holding cut flowers

Expressions and idioms

Finally, there are also many expressions and idioms that are used in one dialect but not the other. Here are some examples:

British EnglishAmerican EnglishDefinition
have a lie-insleep into stay in bed later than usual in the morning
kick offstartto begin or start something
queue upline upto wait in a line or queue
a bit of a sticky wicketa bit of a picklea difficult or tricky situation
at the end of my tetherat the end of my ropeto be at the limit of one’s patience or resources
bum bagfanny packa small pouch worn around the waist to carry personal belongings
chuffedpleasedto be delighted or pleased with something
dodgysketchysuspicious or of questionable integrity
give someone a bellgive someone a callto make a phone call to someone
knock someone upwake someone upto wake someone up by knocking on their door or window
take the pissbust someone’s chopsto make fun of someone or tease them
throw a spanner in the worksthrow a wrench in the worksto disrupt or cause problems for a plan or project
touch woodknock on woodto make a knocking sound on wood to avoid tempting fate or jinxing something
British EnglishAmerican EnglishDefinition
blow a raspberryBronx cheerto make a rude noise with your lips
have a butcher’stake a lookto have a look
spend a pennyuse the restroomto use the toilet
chuffed to bitstickled pinkvery pleased or happy
have a kiptake a napto have a short sleep

In conclusion, while British and American English share many similarities, there are also many differences in vocabulary, spelling, pronunciation, and expressions. Understanding these differences can help you communicate more effectively with people from both sides of the Atlantic.

Download : Difference between British and American English PDF

Name : Difference between British and American English
Medium : English
Number of pages : 8

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