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English is the most spoken language by millions of people around the world. But we often get confused in noticing what are the differences in American and British English grammar. Worry not, as we have got your back. When understanding the differences between the two, one must note that the main differences are vocabulary and pronunciation. To help you out with the difference between the two types of English languages, we have compiled this blog post which will clear out this doubt of yours along with the examples which you can use in your writing.
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Must Read: Learn English Grammar from Scratch
Difference in American and British English Grammar with Examples
If you are a writer, then the first step to becoming a great one is knowing the difference between American and British English grammar, how it should be used and what are some of the basic words that are changed and should be kept in mind. To help you out with the same, we have compiled a list of differences between the two which will help you in writing.
| Particulars | American English | British English |
| Vocabulary | In American English, the front of the car is referred to as hood. On the other hand, the back of the car is known as truck. | Here, people refer to the front of the car as bonnet. While the back of the car is referred to as boot. |
| Use of Present Perfect Tense | American English often uses the simple past tense in similar contexts. Example: I just ate. | In British English, the present perfect tense is often used to describe an action that has occurred in the recent past and has relevance to the present moment. Example: I have just eaten. |
| Collective Nouns | In American English, collective nouns are usually treated as singular. Example: The team is winning. | In British English, collective nouns (e.g., “team,” “government,” “family”) can take either singular or plural verbs, depending on whether the group is being considered as a single unit or as individuals. Example: The team are winning. |
| Tone | Americans tend to be more laid-back and upfront with their language than their British counterparts. While Americans tend to greet by “hey” or a “What’s up?”. | In British, people tend to greet people by “Good morning” and a “How do you do?”. |
Also Read: British English vs American English
What is British English Language?
British English is the form of the English language spoken and written in the United Kingdom. It encompasses various regional dialects and accents, including those found in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Here are some examples of British English which will give an understanding.
- Colour (British) vs. Color (American)
- Centre (British) vs. Center (American)
What is American English Language?
Similarly, American English is the form of English language that is spoken and written in the United States. It has distinct features in terms of pronunciation, vocabulary, spelling, and grammar compared to other varieties of English, particularly British English. Some examples to give you an idea are:
- Center (American) vs. Centre (British)
- Favorite (American) vs. Favourite (British)
Also Read: Essay on English Language in 500 Words
15+ American and British English Examples (A to Z)
Now that you have a basic understanding of the difference between American and British English let’s look at some examples of the same from A to Z. These will help you in writing and not confuse you in the future.
| American English | British English |
| Adhesive tape | Sticking plaster |
| Awaken someone | Knock up |
| Baby carriage | Pram |
| Bathrobe | Dressing gown |
| Bill | Banknote |
| Bobbie pin | Hairgrip |
| Call | Ring up |
| Candy | Sweets |
| Closet | Cupboard |
| Delivery truck | Van |
| Diaper | Nappy |
| Drapes | Curtains |
| Elevator | Lift |
| Eraser | Rubber |
| First floor | Ground floor |
| Flashlight | Torch |
| Gas station | Filling Station |
| German shepherd | Alsatian |
| Hardware | Ironmonger |
| Intermission | Interval |
| Jail | Gaol/jail |
| Jump rope | Skipping rope |
| Lawyer /attorney | Solicitor |
| Legal holiday | Bank holiday |
| Line | Queue |
| Mailbox | Pillar-box |
| Motorcycle | Motorbike |
| News dealer | News agent |
| Overpass | Flyover |
| Pedestrian crossing | Zebra crossing |
| Raincoat | Mackintosh |
| Restroom | Toilet/cloakroom |
| Schedule | Time-table |
| Semester | Term |
| Soccer | Football |
| Take-out | Take-away |
| Truck | Lorry |
| Undershirt | Vest |
| Underwear | Small |
| Vacation | Holiday |
| Washcloth | Face flannel |
| Yard | Garden |
| Zip Code | Postal Code |
33 British and American English Words with Spelling Differences
Here is a list of 33 British and American words that have different spellings but mean the same thing.
| British Words | American Words |
| Aluminium | Aluminum |
| Analogue | Analog |
| Analyse | Analyze |
| Apologise | Apologize |
| Behaviour | Behavior |
| Centre | Center |
| Cheque | Check |
| Colour | Color |
| Defence | Defense |
| Dialogue | Dialog |
| Enrol | Enroll |
| Favourite | Favorite |
| Flavour | Flavor |
| Honour | Honor |
| Humour | Humor |
| Jewellery | Jewelry |
| Labour | Labor |
| Licence | License |
| Litre | Liter |
| Leukaemia | Leukemia |
| Metropolitan | Metropolitian |
| Neighbour | Neighbor |
| Organise | Organize |
| Organisation | Organization |
| Paediatric | Pediatric |
| Practise | Practice |
| Programme | Program |
| Realise | Realize |
| Recognise | Recognize |
| Speciality | Specialty |
| Theatre | Theater |
| Travelling | Traveling |
| Tyre | Tire |
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FAQs
In British English, syntax is the study of the rules that control how language is structured first into clauses and then sentences.
Here are some examples of both American and British words: cookie (American) Biscuit (British), Hood (American) Bonnet (British).
Both sides of the language are correct, this depends on the people who speak or belong to that particular country. However, both languages come with their own differences.
This was all about What are the Differences in American and British English Grammar. Hope you understand the concept and know how to proceed. You can also follow the Learn English page of Leverage Edu for more exciting and informative blogs related to grammar.
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