The English language was first introduced to the Americas by British colonialism.
The language spread to many other parts of the world as a result of British trade and colonization, and one of the problems facing English language learners is dealing with the differences between British and American English.
Difference between American and British English
Are American and British English so different? Here is the answer:
1. In British we used "shall" in the future, but in American "will" is more common. For example:
- I shall be there later.
- I will be there later.
2. In British we use "shall", and in American we use "Should". For example:
- Shall we ask him to come with us?
- Should we ask him to come with us?
3. In British we use "at" to express time, and in American we use "on". For example:
- She will be coming home at weekends.
- She will be coming home on weekends.
4. In British we use "at" with universities and institutions, and in American we use "in". For example:
- She studied English at school.
- She studied English in school.
5. In British we use "from to" with different adjectives, and in American we use "from than". For example:
- This place is different from to anything I have ever seen before.
- This place is different from than anything I have ever seen before.
6. In British we use "to" after "write", and not required in American English. For example:
- I promised to write to her every day.
- I promised to write her every day.
7. In British we use the present perfect, but the most common in the American language is the simple past. For example:
- Ahmed feels ill, he has eaten too much.
- Ahmed feels ill, he ate too much.
- I can't find my keys. Have you seen them anywhere?
- I can't find my keys. Did you see them anywhere?
- Are they going to the show tonight? No, they have already seen it.
- Are they going to the show tonight? No. they already saw it.
- Is Hoda here? No she has just left.
- Is Hoda here? No, she just left.
8. In Britain more than 80% of plural nouns can be followed by "is" or "are", but in American it is only followed by "is". For example:
- Which team is/are losing.
- Which team is losing?
- The system of government is/are good.
- The system of government is good.
9. In British "Have" the most common, but in the American "Take" and "Get" is the most prevalent. For example:
- I would like to have a bath.
- I would like to take a bath. / I would like to get a bath.
- I will have my passport.
- I will take my passport. / I will get my passport.
10. In British the auxiliary verb "Do" is a substitute for the main verb, unlike the American. For example:
- Are you coming with us? I might do.
- Are you coming with us?
11. In British the word "Don't need to" is abbreviated to "Needn't", but in American it is not abbreviated. For example:
- They needn't come to school today.
- They don't need to come to school today.
12. The form of "past participle" in British and American English. For example:
- Simple past (BR): Burned/burnt - (AM): Burned/burnt
- Infinitive: Burn
- Simple past (BR): Bust - (AM): Busted
- Infinitive: Bust
- Simple past (BR): Dived - (AM): Dove/ dived
- Infinitive: Dive
- Simple past (BR): Dreamed/dreamt - (AM): Dreamed/dreamt
- Infinitive: Dream
- Simple past (BR): Got - (AM): Got
- Infinitive: Get
- Simple past (BR): Leant/leaned - (AM): Leaned
- Infinitive: Lean
- Simple past (BR): Learned/learnt - (AM): Learned
- Infinitive: Learn
- Simple past (BR): Pleaded - (AM): Pleaded/plead
- Infinitive: Plead
- Simple past (BR): Proved - (AM): Proved
- Infinitive: Prove
- Simple past (BR): Sawed - (AM): Sawed
- Infinitive: Saw
- Simple past (BR): Smelled/smelt - (AM): Smelled
- Infinitive: Smell
- Simple past (BR): Spilled/spilt - (AM): Spilled
- Infinitive: Spill
- Simple past (BR): Spoiled/spoilt - (AM): Spoiled/spoilt
- Infinitive: Spoil
- Simple past (BR): Stank - (AM): Stank/stunk
- Infinitive: Stink
- Simple past (BR): Woke - (AM): Woke/waked
- Infinitive: Wake
Difference between American and British with a short story
We will take you on a trip in London with phrases that show the difference between American and British English vocabulary. This short story is set in London. It's about driving in central London.
American:
- Last week I drove to London by car. There was an accident I had to take a detour. I stopped in front of a theater to ask for directions. A young man told me to turn right at the intersection and ask again at the gas station. There a friendly sales clerk told me to take the second exit of the traffic circle. After I had passed a crosswalk I saw a bookstore and a large parking lot. I parked my car there and walked to the center of London.
British:
- Last week I drove to London by car. There was an accident I had to take a diversion. I stopped in front of a theatre to ask for directions. A young man told me to turn right at the crossroads and ask again at the petrol station. There a friendly Shop assistant told me to take the second exit of the roundabout. After I had passed a Zebra crossing I saw a bookshop and a large car parking. I parked my car there and walked to the Centre of London.