Difference between British English and American English by 204380 AOR Perera

 DIFFERENCES BETWEEN BRITISH ENGLISH AND AMERICAN ENGLISH 

Differences between British English and American English can be identified  in spelling , pronunciation , grammar and vocabulary. 

British vs American spelling

While writing a text, you may have found your text editor marked a spelling as incorrect. Yet, when you checked it in a dictionary, the spelling was in fact correct. This can often be accounted for by the differences between British and American English. The key spelling difference between British and American English is the letter omission in American English.

Ex; colour  -   color , programme -program

British vs American pronunciation

British English and American English differ even more regarding their pronunciation. You immediately know the difference between British and American accents when heard. While the r sound is pronounced in American English, it remains silent in British English unless it occupies an initial syllable position.

Ex; beah – bear   , sta:t- sta:rt

American vs British grammatical differences

The differences between British and American English grammar are slightly more complicated. The differences are small, but they are significant. Take the verb to have, for instance. To talk about possession, British English uses the verb to have got (I have got a book.), whereas American English uses to have (I have a book.). An important note: the verb have got is also used in American English, but mostly to indicate obligation (I have got to go.).

American vs British vocabulary differences

The vocabulary differences between British and American English are no less tricky. British and American English sometimes use different words to refer to the same thing. In fact, there are many cases of this in both varieties.

Ex; high street – Main street ,  lift – elevator