The English language is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, with over 1.5 billion speakers globally. But what are the differences in how the language is spoken and written between British and American English? In this blog post, we will explore the major differences between British English and American English and how these differences came to be.

Spelling Differences

One of the most noticeable differences between British English and American English is spelling. These differences in spelling can be traced back to the early days of the colonization of North America by the British. At that time, there was no standardized spelling for English words, and the spelling of words was largely influenced by individual preferences and regional dialects. When Noah Webster published his American Dictionary of the English Language in 1828, he sought to create a standard for American English spelling that would differentiate it from British English. To learn more on the historical development of the English language, go to our blogpost on the history and evolution of the English language. There are many words that are spelled differently in each variant of English. For example, the word ‘colour’ is spelled ‘color’ in American English, while ‘centre’ is spelled ‘center’. Other differences include ‘theatre’ and ‘theater’, ‘realise’ and ‘realize’, ‘programme’ and ‘program’, and ‘analyse’ and ‘analyze’, among others.

You might notice that most of these differences are to be found in the endings of the words – however, there are also differences to be found in mid-word. The main spelling differences between British and American English are as follows:

  • -our vs. -or: Many words that end in -our in British English, are spelled with -or in American English. For example, “colour” (British) vs. “color” (American), “favour” (British) vs. “favor” (American), “neighbour” (British) vs. “neighbor” (American).
  • -re vs. -er: Some words that end in -re in British English end in -er in American English. For example, “centre” (British) vs. “center” (American), “theatre” (British) vs. “theater” (American), “litre” (British) vs. “liter” (American).
  • -ence vs. -ense: Some words that end in -ence in British English end in -ense in American English. For example, “defence” (British) vs. “defense” (American), “licence” (British) vs. “license” (American), “offence” (British) vs. “offense” (American).
  • -ise vs. -ize: Some words that end in -ise in British English end in -ize in American English. For example, “organise” (British) vs. “organize” (American), “realise” (British) vs. “realize” (American), “analyse” (British) vs. “analyze” (American).
  • -l vs. -ll: A variation from the differences above, is single l vs. double l, which is often to be found in the middle of the word. In several word, British English use a double l, where American English only use a single. For example, “traveller” (British) vs. “traveler” (American), “enrolment” (British) vs. “enrollment” (American), “counsellor” (British) vs. “counselor” (American).

Vocabulary Differences

Another major difference between British English and American English is the vocabulary used. There are many words that are commonly used in one variant of English that are not used in the other. For example, in British English, ‘lorry’ is used to refer to a truck, while in American English, ‘truck’ is used. Similarly, in British English, ‘chips’ are a type of thinly sliced potato that is fried, while in American English, ‘chips’ refer to what the British would call ‘French fries’. Other examples of vocabulary differences include ‘lift’ and ‘elevator’, ‘flat’ and ‘apartment’, ‘biscuit’ and ‘cookie’, ‘petrol’ and ‘gasoline’, among others. These differences in vocabulary can be traced back to the historical and cultural differences between the two nations. The development of these differences was influenced by factors such as immigration, social class, and economic conditions. If are looking for resources about enhancing your vocabulary, check out our blogpost on building strong vocabulary.

Below are some more examples of vocabulary differences between British English and American English:

  • “Boot” vs. “Trunk”: In British English, the storage space in a car is called the “boot,” while in American English it is called the “trunk.”
  • “Trousers” vs. “Pants”: In British English, an item of clothing that covers the legs and hips is called “trousers,” while in American English it is called “pants.”
  • “Jumper” vs. “Sweater”: In British English, a garment worn on the upper body for warmth is called a “jumper,” while in American English it is called a “sweater.”
  • “Football” vs. “Soccer”: In British English, the sport played with a round ball is called “football,” while in American English it is called “soccer.”
  • “Garden” vs. “Yard”: In British English, the outdoor space around a house is called a “garden,” while in American English it is called a “yard.”
  • “Pavement” vs. “Sidewalk”: In British English, the path for pedestrians along a road is called the “pavement,” while in American English it is called the “sidewalk.”
  • “Post” vs. “Mail”: In British English, letters and packages are sent and received through the “post,” while in American English they are sent and received through the “mail.”
  • “Trolley” vs. “Cart”: In British English, a wheeled basket used for shopping is called a “trolley,” while in American English it is called a “cart.”

Grammar Differences

There are also differences in grammar between British English and American English. One of the most noticeable differences is in the use of collective nouns. In British English, collective nouns are treated as singular, while in American English, they are treated as plural. For example, in British English, ‘the team is playing well’, while in American English, ‘the team are playing well’. There are also differences in the use of prepositions, verb tense, and word order, among others. These differences in grammar can be traced back to the development of different dialects and regional variations within each variant of English. For more of a deep dive into the rules of English grammar, see our blogpost on common grammar mistakes and how to avoid them.

  • Collective nouns: In British English, collective nouns (e.g. “team,” “government,” “company”) can be treated as either singular or plural, depending on context. In American English, they are generally treated as singular. For example, in British English you might say “The team are playing well,” while in American English you would say “The team is playing well.”
  • Use of “have got”: In British English, “have got” is often used to mean “have” or “possess.” For example, “I’ve got a headache.” In American English, “have got” is less commonly used and is often replaced with “have.” So, the same sentence would be “I have a headache.”
  • Prepositions: In British English, certain prepositions are used differently than in American English. For example, in British English, you might say “I’m going to hospital,” while in American English, you would say “I’m going to the hospital.”
  • Past tense of irregular verbs: In British English, some irregular verbs have a different past tense form than in American English. For example, “learned” (American • English) vs. “learnt” (British English), “burned” (American English) vs. “burnt” (British English).

Pronunciation Differences

Pronunciation is another area where there are differences between British English and American English. The most noticeable difference is in the way vowels are pronounced. For example, in British English, the vowel sound in ‘bath’ is pronounced with a short ‘a’, while in American English, it is pronounced with a long ‘a’. Similarly, the vowel sound in ‘dance’ is pronounced with a short ‘a’ in British English, while it is pronounced with a long ‘a’ in American English. There are also differences in the way consonants are pronounced, with some consonants being pronounced differently in each variant of English. These differences in pronunciation can be traced back to the development of different regional accents and dialects within each variant of English. Finding it difficult to remember the rules of pronunciation? In our article on effective study techniques you’ll get practical tips and tricks for better memory retention.

Examples that underline the differences between British and American English pronunciation:

  • “Schedule”: In British English, the word “schedule” is pronounced with a “sh” sound at the beginning, like “shed-yool.” In American English, it is pronounced with a “sk” sound, like “sked-yool.”
  • “Herb”: In British English, the word “herb” is pronounced with a silent “h,” like “erb.” In American English, the “h” is pronounced, like “herb.”
  • “Advertisement”: In British English, the word “advertisement” is pronounced with the stress on the second syllable, like “ad-VER-tis-ment.” In American English, the stress is on the third syllable, like “ad-ver-TISE-ment.”
  • “Route”: In British English, the word “route” is pronounced with a long “oo” sound, like “root.” In American English, it is pronounced with a short “ou” sound, like “rowt.”
If you wish to find further support in your pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary, an English tutor might be a good option for you. To find a tutor online, you can search for tutoring services on websites that offer a wide range of subjects and allow you to search for tutors based on your location, availability, and budget. These websites also provide reviews and ratings from other students to help you choose the right tutor for your needs. You’ll be able to find a local tutor almost anywhere, for instance an English tutor in London or an English teacher in Leeds. If you prefer to enroll in classes where you can interact with other students, this will also be available in most bigger cities, just search for e.g. English lessons Manchester or English classes Glasgow.

Idiomatic Expressions

Idiomatic expressions are phrases that are used to convey a particular meaning that may not be apparent from the literal interpretation of the words used. There are many idiomatic expressions that are used in British English that may not be used in American English, and vice versa. For example, in British English, ‘the bee’s knees’ is an expression used to describe something that is excellent, while in American English, ‘the cat’s meow’ is used to convey the same meaning. Similarly, in British English, ‘cheeky’ is used to describe someone who is impudent or disrespectful, while in American English, ‘fresh’ is used in a similar context. These differences in idiomatic expressions can be attributed to the historical and cultural differences between the two nations.

Some examples of idiomatic differences between British and American English:

  • “Knackered”: In British English, the word “knackered” means “extremely tired,” while in American English, the equivalent phrase would be “wiped out” or “exhausted.”
  • “Fancy dress”: In British English, “fancy dress” means a costume or outfit worn for a costume party or event. In American English, the term “costume” is more commonly used.
  • “Cheeky”: In British English, the word “cheeky” means impudent or impertinent. In American English, a similar term might be “fresh” or “saucy”.
  • “Nappy”: In British English, a “nappy” refers to a diaper. In American English, the term “diaper” is used.
  • “Hire”: In British English, to “hire” something means to rent it. In American English, the term “rent” is more commonly used.
  • “Cheers”: In British English, the word “cheers” can be used as a casual way to say “thank you” or “goodbye.” In American English, the word is more commonly used as a toast or expression of congratulations.

Impact of Technology and Globalization

The English language is constantly evolving, and technology and globalization are contributing to this evolution. With the increasing use of the internet and social media, people are exposed to different variants of English from all over the world. This has led to the development of new words, idioms, and expressions that are used across different variants of English. Additionally, the growing importance of English as a global language has led to changes in the way the language is taught and used in different parts of the world.

Examples illustrating the impact of technology and globalization on the English language:

  • New words and expressions: The use of technology and social media has led to the creation of new words and expressions in English, such as “selfie,” “emoji,” and “LOL.” These words have become commonly used across different variants of English.
  • Variations in spelling and grammar: With the exposure to different variants of English, people are adopting different spelling and grammar rules. For example, the use of American spelling in British English has become more common due to the influence of American media.
  • Changes in the way English is taught: The growing importance of English as a global language has led to changes in the way the language is taught in different parts of the world. For example, in some countries, English is being taught as a second language from a very young age.
  • Use of English as a lingua franca: With the increasing globalization of business and trade, English is becoming the language of communication between people from different countries who do not share a common language. This has led to the development of a simplified form of English known as “International English” or “Global English.”
  • Influence of regional accents: With the exposure to different accents and dialects of English through media and travel, people are adopting new accents and pronunciations. For example, the influence of American media has led to the adoption of American accents and pronunciations in some parts of the world.

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding the differences between British English and American English is important for effective communication between people from different regions of the world. The differences in spelling, vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and idiomatic expressions can be traced back to the historical and cultural differences between the two nations. Regional variations within each variant of English further complicate the issue, and technology and globalization are contributing to the evolution of the language. By understanding these differences, we can improve our communication skills and avoid misunderstandings in our interactions with people from different parts of the world.