https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_American_and_British_English
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_and_British_English_pronunciation_differences
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_and_British_English_grammatical_differences
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_and_British_English_spelling_differences
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lists_of_words_having_different_meanings_in_American_and_British_English
British prefers present perfect tense over simple past tense
Possession: have got
over have
and have got to
over have to
.
British | American |
---|---|
Have you done your homework yet? | Did you do your homework yet? |
I’ve already eaten. | I already ate. |
I’ve got two sisters. | I have two sisters. |
I’ve got to go now. | I have to go now. |
He’s got much better at playing tennis. | He’s gotten much better at playing tennis. |
Differences in prefix and suffix forms:
ae
oroe
overe
-se
over-ze
-re
over-er
-our
over-or
-ogue
over-og
British also prefers doubled consonants, and an added e
.
British | American |
---|---|
aeroplane | airplane |
cancelled | canceled |
catalogue | catalog |
centre | center |
cheque | check |
colour | color |
defence | defense |
dialogue | dialog |
faeces | feces |
flavour | flavor |
grey | gray |
humour | humor |
judgement | judgment |
labour | labor |
licence | license |
loveable | lovable |
metre | meter |
modernisation | modernization |
mum(my) | mom(my) |
oestrogen | estrogen |
patronise | patronize |
programme | program |
recognise | recognize |
routeing | routing |
skilful | skillful |
theatre | theater |
traveller | traveler |
whisky | whiskey |
British | American |
---|---|
angry | mad |
anticlockwise | counterclockwise |
arse | ass |
aubergine | eggplant |
autumn | fall |
bank note | bill |
bin | trash can |
biscuit | cookie |
block of flats | apartment building |
braces | suspenders |
bonnet | hood |
boot | trunk |
car park | parking lot |
chemist's | drugstore, pharmacy |
chips | french fries |
courgette | zucchini |
crisps | potato chips |
cupboard | closet |
draw | tie |
first floor | second floor |
flat | apartment |
full stop | period |
ground floor | first floor |
indicator | blinker |
jacket potato | baked potato |
jumper, pullover | sweater |
lift | elevator |
loo | restroom |
lorry | truck |
nappy | diaper |
mobile phone | cell phone |
motorway | highway |
moustache | mustache |
pavement | slidewalk |
petrol | gas, gasoline |
peckish | hungry |
phone box | phone booth |
pitch | field |
post | |
postcode | zip code |
queue | line |
rubber | eraser |
rubbish | trash |
runner bean | string bean |
solicitor | attorney |
sweets | candy |
takeaway | takeout |
tap | faucet |
telly | tv, television |
timetable | schedule |
torch | flashlight |
trousers | pants |
trainers | sneakers |
tube, underground | subway |
tyre | tire |
waistcoat | vest |
windscreen | windshield |