The Differences between British and

American English

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HISTORY OF BRITISH VS AMERICAN ENGLISH

The English language was introduced to the Americans through British colonization in the early 17th century and it spread to many parts of the world because of the

stength of the British empire.

AMERICAN VS BRITISH ACCENT

American and British accents were similar. Both were rhotic , speakers

pronounced the letter R in hard. Since 1776, the accents diverged . Both American and British English have

several types of accents and there is no one true American or British accent.

DIFFERENCES IN GRAMMAR AE - Do you have any siblings?

BE - Have you got any brothers or sisters? AE - It is important that she be told. *

BE - It is important that she is told. AE - The jury has not yet reached its decision.

BE - The jury have not yet reached their decision.

AE - Go get your book.BE - Go and fetch your book.

AE - He dove into the water.BE - He dived into the water.

DIFFERENCES IN USE OF TENSES

The differences involving the use of the present perfect in British English and simple past in American English include the words already, just and yet.

British English: I've just had food. Have you finished your homework yet? 

American English: I just had food. OR I've just had food. I've already seen that film. OR I already saw that film.

DIFFERENCES IN VOCABULARY

AE vs BE

closet – cupboard; vacation – holiday; fall – autumn; subway – underground; baggage –luggage; movie – film;

DIFFERENCES IN VOCABULARY

AE vs BE

drapes – curtains; elevator – lift; hood – bonnet; mailman – postman; check - bill; line – queue; candy – sweets; gas – petrol;

DIFFERENCES IN SPELLING

AE spelling VS BE spelling

Color - Colour Fulfill - Fulfil Center - Centre Analyze - Analyse Dialog - Dialogue Anesthesia - Anaesthesia

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DIFFERENCES IN THE USE OF PREPOSITIONS

The British would play in a team, Americans would play on a team.

The British would go out at the weekend, Americans would go out on the weekend.

DIFFERENCES IN THE USAGE

For Americans – billion has 9 zeros For British it has 12 zeros Zero itself is a much more common word in AE

than in BE, where nought is more widespread. Americans are likely to say the number 453

as four hundred fifty three, whereas in Britain it would almost always be said four hundred and fifty three.

TIME TELLING IN BRITISH VS AMERICAN ENGLISH

The British would say quarter past ten to denote 10:15, it is not uncommon in America to say quarter after or even a quarter after ten.

Thirty minutes after the hour is commonly called half past in both languages.

Americans always write digital times with a colon, thus 6:00, whereas Britons often use a point, 6.00.

DIFFERENCES IN PUNCTUATION

The British would write Mr, Mrs, Dr,

The Americans would write Mr., Mrs., Dr..

CONCLUSION

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