English is spoken all around the world. It is a primary language in parts of North America, Europe, Australasia, Asia and Africa. Naturally, the ways English is used in different countries have evolved independently over time.
One example of two countries having different versions of English is the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
Here are some key differences between British English and American English.
Nouns
Brits and Americans have different names for certain objects. Thanks to internationally-broadcast media, however, people from these countries know both versions so are still able to communicate with ease.
Watch out for some confusing crossovers! Both the UK and the US use the word 'chip' but each refers to different foodstuffs. Both the UK and US say 'college' but in the US it means a large institution that provides degrees (known as 'university' in the UK) but in the UK 'college' means a local education provider where people can study vocational and high school-level courses (Americans call this 'community college').
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British English
Trousers
American English
Pants
British English
Flat
American English
Apartment
British English
Bonnet
American English
Hood
British English
Boot
American English
Trunk
British English
Lorry
American English
Truck
British English
University
American English
College
British English
Holiday
American English
Vacation
British English
Jumper
American English
Sweater
British English
Chips
American English
French fries
British English
Crisps
American English
Chips
British English
Trainers
American English
Sneakers
British English
Fizzy drink
American English
Soda
British English
Post
Postbox
Postman/postwoman
American English
Mailbox
Mailman/mailwoman
British English
Biscuit
American English
Cookie
British English
Shop
American English
Store
British English
Football
American English
Soccer
British English
American football
American English
Football
British English
Aeroplane
American English
Airplane
Other words
Some shared words have the same meanings but are followed by an ‘s’ in British English but are not in American English.
British English
Towards
American English
Toward
British English
Afterwards
American English
Afterward
British English
Maths
American English
Math
Spelling
There are words that are identical in meaning and pronunciation but are spelt differently.
British English
Colour
American English
Color
British English
Flavour
American English
Flavor
British English
Metre
American English
Meter
British English
Centre
American English
Centre
British English
Grey
American English
Gray
British English
Doughnut
American English
Donut
British English
Civilisation
American English
Civilization
Phrasing
Sometimes, the way the two nations phrase things is different.
British English
By accident
American English
On accident
British English
12th of January
American English
January 12th
What other differences between British English and American English can you think of?
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