British English & American English — the differences

A very common question I get from English learners is…

What is better — British English or American English?

I am British but I would not really argue that British English is better in any way. I would also not argue that American English is better either.

But I would say that American English is more widely used.

There was a time when people — British people — would say that British English is the true English. They would expect everyone to use only British English.

That may have been true a few years ago, when people regarded England as being the origin of the English language.

But now English belongs to the world.

Many countries and cultures have added and contributed to the English language.

I would say that the standard to use in most everyday situations is American English.

But what is the difference between British English and American English anyway?

Let’s take a look…

British English and American English Grammar

Let’s look at the different ways that grammar is used between the two forms.

There are some notable distinctions.

Collective Nouns

A collective noun is a noun that describes a group of things or people together.

For example:

Staff

Family

Class

Band

Group

Company

Team

In American English, we use the singular — the staff is taking a holiday.

But in British English, we can use the singular or the plural — the staff is taking a holiday/the staff are taking a holiday.

Other examples:

Shall and Will

In British English, people usually use more formal ways of speaking.

So in the UK, people might prefer to use the word shall. Whereas in America, people will be more informal and say will.

American people also use the phrases:

Can I?

Should I?

How about?

This is most noticeable when making suggestions.

Got and Gotten

In British English, the past participle of get is got.

In American English, the past participle is gotten.

Have and Take

In British English, people use the word have and take with nouns such as bath, rest or shower.

But in American English, people only use the word take.

British English

• I’m going to have/take a bath
• I’m going to have/take a rest
• I’m going to have/take a shower

American English

• I’m going to take a bath
• I’m going to take a rest
• I’m going to take a shower

Past Tense Verbs

There are differences in British English and American English in the past form of irregular verbs.

British people use the -t ending, whereas American people use the -ed ending.

British English

• I have learnt many Chinese characters
• I have dreamt every night this week

American English

• I have burned the toast
• You have spelled it correctly

British English and American English Spelling

There are many differences in spelling between British English and American English.

This is due to a man called Noah Webster. There is now a dictionary named after him.

Webster tried to simplify the way English words were spelt/spelled.

This is seen in many words that end in -or/-our.

Colour/Color

Labour/Labor

Neighbour/Neighbor

Also, check words that end in -ise/-ize.

Words that end in -re/-er.

And the same with words that end in -yse/-yze.

And words that end in -ence/-ense.

And words that end in -ogue/-og.

In British English, people use a double L, but in American English it is only one L.

For example;

I have travelled to many places.

I have traveled to many places.

And some words in British English have a double vowel. But in American English, only one vowel is used — usually the letter E.

The best way to check for the correct spelling for British or American English is to use the right dictionary.

British English — The Oxford English Dictionary

American English — The Mirriam-Webster Dictionary

British English and American English Vocabulary

But of course the most obvious difference between British and American English is in the vocabulary.

There are many words in both countries that are completely different.

For example, people in London live in a flat, but people in New York live in an apartment.

In America, people go on vacation. But in the UK, people go on holiday.

Here is a list of very common words that are different in British and American English.

But of course, there are many many others.

Check a dictionary if you need to know the right word to use.

Conclusion

I hope that clarifies some of the confusion between British and American English.

Even for native English speakers, it is confusing sometimes. I often have to check the dictionary to make sure I am using the correct word — be it British or American.

You should always check in a dictionary too. It always pays to check everything.

Please tell me what you think in the comments below!