Difference between British and American English
Learn about the differences between American English and British English. This article will help you to know the commonly confused words in British and American English. A discussion of the differences between standard American and British English.
Difference between British and American English
Here are some of the main differences in vocabulary between British and American English. Here is a collection of some commonly used words translated from British English to American English. American and British English spelling differences are one aspect of American and British English differences. It is very useful to people who visit both countries more frequently than others to convert commonly used words from British English to American English. There are many British words which are different from American words. It is an effort to provide information about the Commonly confused words in British and American English.
British English | American English |
---|---|
Aerial | Antenna |
Angry | Mad |
Anywhere | Anyplace |
Autumn | Fall |
Bank note | Bill |
Barrister, Solicitor | Attorney |
Biscuit | Cookie |
Bonnet | Hood |
Boot | Trunk |
Braces | Suspenders |
Caretaker | Janitor |
Chemist | Drug store |
Chips | French fries |
Cinema | Movie |
Condom | Rubber |
Constable | Patrolman |
Cooker | Stove |
Cot | Crib |
Cotton | Thread |
Crash | Wreck |
Crossroads | Intersection |
Curtains | Drapes |
Draughts | Checkers |
Drawing pin | Thumb tack |
Dual carriageway | Divided highway |
Dummy | Pacifier |
Dust bin, Rubbish bin | Trash can, Garbage can |
Dustman | Garbage collector |
Dynamo | Generator |
Engine | Motor |
Film | Movie |
Flat | Apartment |
Flyover | Overpass |
Garden | Yard |
Gear lever | Gear shift |
Graduate | Alumnus |
Grill | Boiler |
Ground floor | First floor |
Gym shoes, Tennis shoes | Sneakers |
Hand bag | Purse |
Hoarding | Billboard |
Holiday | Vacation |
Hoover | Vacuum cleaner |
Ill | Sick |
Interval | Intermission |
Jersey, Jumper, Pull over, Sweater | Sweater |
Jug | Pitcher |
Lift | Elevator |
Lorry | truck |
Luggage | Baggage |
Mad | Crazy |
Main road | Highway |
Maize | Corn |
Maths | Math |
Mean | Stingy |
Motorway | Freeway |
Nappy | Diaper |
Nasty | Vicious, Mean |
Nowhere | No place |
Nursing home | Private hospital |
Occultist, Optician | Optometrist |
Paraffin | Kerosene |
Pavement | Sidewalk |
Peep | Peek |
Petrol | Gas, Gasoline |
Post | |
Postbox | Mailbox |
Postman | Mailman, Mail carrier |
Potato crisps | Potato chips |
Pram | Baby carriage |
Pub | Bar |
Public toilet | Rest room |
Puncture | Blowout |
Push chair | Stroller |
Queue | Line |
Railway | Railroad |
Railway carriage | Railway car |
Reel of cotton | Reel of thread |
Return ticket | Round trip |
Reverse charges | Call collect |
Rise in salary | Raise |
Road surface | Pavement |
Roundabout | Traffic circle |
Rubber | Eraser |
Saloon | Sedan |
Sellotape | Scotch tape |
Shop | Store |
Silencer | Muffler |
Single ticket | One way |
Somewhere | Someplace |
Spanner | Wrench |
Staff of a university | Faculty |
Sump | Oil pan |
Sweet | Dessert |
Sweets | Candy |
Tap | Faucet |
Tap (outdoor) | Spigot |
Taxi | Cab |
Tea towel | Dish towel |
Term | Semester |
Tights | Pantyhose |
Timetable | Schedule |
Tin | Can |
Toll motorway | Turnpike |
Torch | Flashlight |
Tramp | Hobo |
Trousers | Pants |
Turn ups | Cuffs |
Underground railway | Subway |
Underpants | Shorts |
Verge of road | Shoulder of road |
Waistcoat | Vest |
Wardrobe | Closet |
Wash your hands | Wash up |
Windscreen | Windshield |
Wing | Fender |
Zip | Zipper |
In British English, words that end in -l preceded by a vowel usually double the -l when a suffix is added, while in American English the letter is not doubled. The letter will double in the stress is on the second syllable.
Base Word | American English | British English |
---|---|---|
counsel | counse ling | counse lling |
equal | equa ling | equa lling |
model | mode ling | mode lling |
quarrel | quarre ling | quarre lling |
signal | signa ling | signa lling |
travel | trave ling | trave lling |
excel | exce lling | exce lling |
propel | prope lling | prope lling |
Difference between British and American Spellings of Verbs
For the spellings of verbs, Generally the rule is that if there is a verb form with -ed, American English will use it, and if there is a form with -t, British English uses it. However, these forms do not exist for every verb and there is variation. For example, both American and British English would use the word ’worked’ for the past form of ’to work’. So what does tall his mean for learners of English? In the beginning, unfortunately, it means a lot of memorization (or memorisation) and of course, a few mistakes. For spoken English, the differences are barely audible, so forge ahead and don’t be too concerned with whether a word is spelled ’dreamed’ or ’dreamt’. With written English, however, if you are unsure about the spelling, better to ask your teacher or look the word up in the dictionary and see what the experts say.