The difference between American and British English

Alright, so as an Irish/British person, a lot of the differences between these has become very apparent as I gain more American friends. It’s not just accents, entire mannerisms and phrases can be entirely different too, which could impact on your grades/exams should you be an english student in america or vice versa.

Some common differences:

Difference in nouns and phrasing (Long list)

American Term: Cotton Candy
British Term: Candy Floss

American Term: Chips
British Term: Crisps

American Term: Fries
British Term: Chips

American Term: Sneakers
British Term: Trainers

American Term: Sweater
British Term: Jumper

American Term: Suspenders
British Term: Braces

American Term: Autumn/Fall
British Term: Autumn

American Term: Parking Lot
British Term: Car Park

American Term: Pacifier
British Term: Dummy

American Term: Overalls
British Term: Dungarees

American Term: Vacation
British Term: Holiday

American Term: Elevator
British Term: Lift

American Term: Highway
British Term: Motorway

American Term: Diaper
British Term: Nappy

American Term: Sidewalk
British Term: Pavement

American Term: Gasoline
British Term: Petrol

American Term: Restroom
British Term: Public Toilet

American Term: Eraser
British Term: Rubber

American Term: Pants
British Term: Trousers

American Term: Underwear
British Term: Pants

American Term: Candy
British Term: Sweets

On top of all of those, there’s also the differences in spelling on a more subtle level:

“er” and “re”
Examples:

  • Centre (British) and Center (American)
  • Metre (British) and Meter (American)

This rule extends to many words with these endings, with the exceptions of words such as Mother and Murderer

ize and ise
Examples:

  • Apologize (American) and Apologise (British)
  • Fossilize (American) and Fossilise (British)

This rule extends to many words with these endings, with the exceptions of words such as Advise, seize and rise

Doubling L before vowel suffixes
Perhaps the most commonly confused spelling convention is whether or not to double the final L in two-syllable words before a vowel suffix. In American English, we follow the rule that if the word has an emphasis on the final syllable before the vowel suffix, then the L is doubled. However, most words ending in a single L are stressed on the first syllable, so L remains singular.
Examples:

  • Model - Modeled/Modeling
  • Rebel - Rebelled/Rebelling

In British English, on the other hand, a final L that follows a vowel is almost always doubled before “-ed,” “-er,” and “-ing” regardless of where the stress occurs in the word.
Examples:

  • Cancel - Cancelled/Cancelling
  • Model - Modelled/Modelling

“e” vs “ae” and “oe”
Examples:

  • Anemia (American) and Amaemia (British)
  • Fetus (American) and Foetus (British)

This rule applies to many words (Most of them medical lol)

“or” vs “our”
Examples:

  • Colour (British) and Color (American)
  • Flavour (British) and Flavor (American)

This applies to many words, but as always there are a few exceptions.


Honestly, while doing this I learned that there are a huge amount of differences, even if they are minor things. There are many more than what I have already listed, unfortunately, and if you know any more, and have the time/energy to do so, please comment them below!

@Students:

  • Was this helpful or informative at all?
  • Do you know any other differences between American and British English?

Not the spell check system continuously marking the British spellings as incorrect smh /lh

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Okay, this is confusing-

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Added the ‘language’ tag :maple_leaf:

u guys call crisp chips and chips fries
these are chips :fries:
crisps are the crunchy ones in the bag

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I’m not British nor American…

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WHAT NO THAT’S DANCING FRYER

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WHAT?
crisps:
https://images.app.goo.gl/AkEJe8j6ipKWoW126
chips:
https://images.app.goo.gl/yBT4HXwesALbokLB8

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Haha, @TheDancingFryer
But, yeah, I understood what you said.

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confused but ok

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She was an old user…
One of the Utensils.

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When you’re Canadian and use a bit of both

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or something totally different

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that is also true

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Or if you’re Indian

Bro, Google is lowkey insulting us-

me do gramer well ok
goggle lie whxre

Added a tag

Canadians right now: :face_with_raised_eyebrow:

2 Likes

The most aggravating thing in the world is using Google docs and trying to decide which one to pick, knowing I’ll have “spelling errors” no matter which one I choose

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Google Docs is so American-centric and it’s weird…

Closed due to inactivity