Republic of the Philippines

ZAMBOANGA STATE COLLEGE OF MARINE SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY

Fort Pilar, Zamboanga City
Tel No.: (062) 991-0643 Telefax: (062) 991-0777 website: http://www.zscmst.edu.ph

COLLEGE OF MARITIME EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation
(BSMT)

Module 3

Job Enabling English Proficiency (JEEP)

Accelerate

Prepared by

Samuel B. Marquez, MAELL

Instructor 1
 Module 3

Differences between British and American English

The British actually introduced the language to the Americas when they reached these
lands by sea between the 16th and 17th centuries. At that time, spelling had not yet been
standardized. It took the writing of the first dictionaries to set in stone how these words appeared.
In the UK, the dictionary was compiled by London-based scholars. Meanwhile, in the United
States, the lexicographer was a man named Noah Webster. Allegedly, he changed how the words
were spelled to make the American version different from the British as a way of showing
cultural independence from its mother country.
In terms of speech, the differences between American and British English actually took
place after the first settlers arrived in America. These groups of people spoke using what was
called rhotic speech, where the ‘r’ sounds of words are pronounced. Meanwhile, the higher
classes in the UK wanted to distinguish the way they spoke from the common masses by
softening their pronunciation of the ‘r’ sounds. Since the elite even back then were considered
the standard for being fashionable, other people began to copy their speech, until it eventually
became the common way of speaking in the south of England.  
Spelling differences
British and American English have some spelling differences. The common ones are presented in
the table below.

British English American English

-oe-/-ae- (e.g. anaemia, diarrhoea, -e- (e.g. anemia, diarrhea, encyclopedia)

encyclopaedia)

-t (e.g. burnt, dreamt, leapt) -ed (e.g. burned, dreamed, leaped)

-ence (e.g. defence, offence, licence) -ense (defense, offense, license)

-ell- (e.g. cancelled, jeweller, marvellous) -el- (e.g. canceled, jeweler, marvelous)

-ise (e.g. appetiser, familiarise, organise) -ize (e.g. appetizer, familiarize, organize)
 -l- (e.g. enrol, fulfil, skilful) -ll- (e.g. enroll, fulfill, skillfull)

-ogue (e.g. analogue, monologue, -og (e.g. analog, monolog, catalog)

catalogue) *Note that American English also
recognizes words spelled with –ogue

-ou (e.g. colour, behaviour, mould) -o (e.g. color, behavior, mold)

-re (e.g. metre, fibre, centre) -er (e.g. meter, fiber, center)

-y- (e.g. tyre) -i- (e.g. tire)

 
Vocabulary differences
The Americans and the British also have some words that differ from each other. The
table below lists some of the everyday objects that have different names, depending on what
form of English you are using.

British English American English

trousers pants

flat apartment

bonnet (the front of the car) hood

boot (the back of the car) trunk

lorry truck

university college

holiday vacation

jumper sweater
 crisps chips

chips French fries

trainers sneakers

fizzy drink soda

postbox mailbox

biscuit cookie

chemist drugstore

shop store

football soccer

 
Grammar differences
Aside from spelling and vocabulary, there are certain grammar differences between
British and American English. For instance, in American English, collective nouns are
considered singular (e.g. The band is playing). In contrast, collective nouns can be either singular
or plural in British English, although the plural form is most often used (e.g. The band are
playing).
The British are also more likely to use formal speech, such as ‘shall’, whereas Americans favour
the more informal ‘will’ or ‘should’.   
Americans, however, continue to use ‘gotten’ as the past participle of ‘get’, which the British
have long since dropped in favour of ‘got’.
‘Needn’t’, which is commonly used in British English, is rarely, if at all used in American
English. In its place is ‘don’t need to’.
In British English, ‘at’ is the preposition in relation to time and place. However, in American
English, ‘on’ is used instead of the former and ‘in’ for the latter.
Final point
While there may be certain differences between British and American English, the key
takeaway is that the two have more similarities. Accidentally using one instead of the other will
not automatically lead to miscommunication. Americans and Brits can usually communicate with
each other without too much difficulty, so don’t be too hard on yourself if you are unable to
memorise the nuances of both languages.
 How British English and American English are Different
Updated on
May 18, 2021GRAMMAR

Many Americans who love tea would turn up their noses at the idea of adding milk to it.
Brits, on the other hand, are known for lacing their tea with milk. Though tea and milk is
considered more of a staple in Great Britain and just an occasional preference in the United
States, everyone can recognize the customs for what they are. The language that Americans and
Brits share is a bit like that—spoken differently in the two locations, but understandable by both
groups of speakers.
Early British American settlers interacted with Native Americans—as well as with
immigrants from other countries—and they had to learn and use new words. Meanwhile, words
came and went out of fashion in Great Britain, leaving their American counterparts none the
wiser. Fast-forward four hundred years and the two dialects are bound to have quite a few
differences.

American English words missing from British English

Eventually, the American colonies gained independence from Great Britain and became
the United States. As the US continued to grow and integrate different world cultures, the
American people developed linguistic differences from their British counterparts. Phrases that
already existed in British English changed. Minced beef became ground beef, for example.
Additionally, new words were invented as science and technology advanced. After the invention
of the automobile in the twentieth century, Americans began to fill their cars with gasoline while
Brits filled theirs with petrol.  
Uniquely American things, such as s’mores or grits, don’t have British equivalents. 
British words missing from American English
Americans may like their s’mores and their grits, but they may not like the Great Britain
breakfast staple blood pudding  (a sausage containing pork, pig’s blood, and suet). On the other
hand, they may better enjoy eating pasties  (pies filled with meat).
Phrases are especially difficult to translate from British English to American English because
many of them have been created from the evolving British culture. The phrase “sixes and
sevens” originally referenced the order of the companies in the London Livery Company, but has
become a common idiom meaning “muddled.” You may also be surprised to find that, in Great
Britain, a sleeping police officer isn’t a person at all, but a speed bump.
Vocabulary differences
Some words exist in both American English and British English, but they mean different
things. You wouldn’t want to mix up an American geezer (meaning an elderly person) with a
British geezer (a gang member). Similarly, you would not want to call an American
house homely (meaning plain or ugly) if you mean the British version of the word (cozy,
comfortable).
Depending on where you are, you’ll also want to make sure you’re referring to the
correct football. Across Europe, and throughout most of the world, football refers to the sport
with the black-and-white ball kicked across a field (Americans call this soccer). In the United
States, however, football is an entirely different sport, played by throwing an oval-shaped ball
that has laces.
  Arguably one of the most important vocabulary differences is the pervasive British
acronym WC, which stands for water closet, and it’s an important acronym to remember if you
need to use the restroom. 
Spelling
One man is responsible for many of the spelling differences that exist between American
and British English. His name was Noah Webster. Yes, the same Webster of Webster’s
Dictionary. In the early nineteenth century, Webster saw the extra letters in British English
words and decided that they were superfluous; he published a dictionary accordingly. British
English, however, is less revised.
This means that words like “color” and “favorite” in American English are spelled
“colour” and “favourite” in other parts of the world, like Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and
New Zealand, because they entered the English language through the word’s original French
roots and did not get revised spelling in early American history. 
Some additional spelling differences include American English’s tendency to end words with -
ize rather than the British -ise. The -er ending of words like theater and center is reversed in
British English (theatre and centre, respectively). Other words are almost unrecognizable as
cognates, such as curb and kerb. 

Grammar
In British English, you have to use the present perfect for recent actions that affect the
present.
“I’ve broken your vase. Will you forgive me?”
American English accepts the present perfect as correct, but it also offers a second possibility:
the simple past.
“I broke your vase. Will you forgive me?” 
American English is tolerant of present perfect, but it’s not as understanding of Britain’s past
participles. In the following sentences, Americans would use gotten as the past participle of the
verb to get, leaned in the place of leant, and spoiled instead of spoilt.
“You have got much better at breaking things! It’s because you’ve leant too hard against the
furniture. Now it’s spoilt!” 

Punctuation
Another important grammatical distinction is the use of punctuation between American
and British English. If an American were to pick up a book in a London bookstore, they may be
surprised by the inverted use of quotation marks. In the United States, double quotation marks
are used for initial quotations, and single quotation marks are used when there is a quote inside
of a quote. In Great Britain, however, the exact opposite is true.
Then there’s the Oxford comma—also known as the serial comma. This little mark can
spark quite the controversy, though it isn’t necessarily required in either American or British
English. Americans, however, tend to be more liberal with it, while Brits use it only if a sentence
would be unclear without it.
There are even more differences in how American and Brits punctuate: Brits place
commas and periods outside of quotation marks while Americans place them inside. And, British
English does not add a period to abbreviations that Americans would write as “Mr., Dr., and
Mrs.” 
 Formatting
Another example is how Americans and Brits format dates. One simple difference—
which may cause someone to be late to an international meeting—is the way dates are written.
Americans write dates as month-day-year. So, April 6, 2021 would be 4/6/2021. In Great Britain,
they write dates at day-month-year, making that same date 6/4/2021.
Tone
It probably comes as no surprise that Americans tend to be more laid-back and upfront
with their language than their British counterparts. Even at the office, Americans commonly
greet others with a “hey” or a “what’s up?”. In Great Britain, however, you’re more likely to get
a “good morning” and a “how do you do?”.
British idioms may seem silly to Americans, but they can convey a sense of fun while
maintaining polite conversation. Some Brits may say “and Bob’s your uncle” after listing a set of
simple instructions. Other idioms are clearly related between American and British English. In
American English, you may hear “odds and ends,” but in British English you’re more likely to
hear “bits and bobs.”
Despite both groups’ accents and idiosyncratic expressions, Brits and Americans have
little problem communicating with each other in English. If you visit London, you may be
invited to afternoon tea. If you don’t “fancy” milk in your drink, you can let them know. Aren’t
you grateful for that? 
(This article was originally written in 2016 by Shundalyn Allen.)
 Six Differences Between British and American English
September 06, 2017
There is an old saying that America and Britain are “two nations divided by a common
language.” No one knows exactly who said this, but it reflects the way many Brits feel about
American English. My British friend still tells me, “You don’t speak English. You speak
American.”
But are American and British English really so different?
1. Vocabulary
The most noticeable difference between American and British English is vocabulary.
There are hundreds of everyday words that are different. For example, Brits call the front of a car
the bonnet, while Americans call it the hood.
Americans go on vacation, while Brits go on holidays, or hols.
New Yorkers live in apartments; Londoners live in flats.
There are far more examples than we can talk about here. Fortunately, most Americans
and Brits can usually guess the meaning through the context of a sentence.
2. Collective nouns
There are a few grammatical differences between the two varieties of English. Let’s start
with collective nouns. We use collective nouns to refer to a group of individuals.
In American English, collective nouns are singular. For example, staff refers to a group of
employees; band refers to a group of musicians; team refers to a group of athletes. Americans
would say, “The band is good.”
But in British English, collective nouns can be singular or plural. You might hear someone
from Britain say, “The team are playing tonight” or “The team is playing tonight.”
3. Auxiliary verbs
Another grammar difference between American and British English relates to auxiliary
verbs. Auxiliary verbs, also known as helping verbs, are verbs that help form a grammatical
function. They “help” the main verb by adding information about time, modality and voice.
Let’s look at the auxiliary verb shall. Brits sometimes use shall to express the future.
For example, “I shall go home now.” Americans know what shall means, but rarely use it in
conversation. It seems very formal. Americans would probably use “I will go home now.”
In question form, a Brit might say, “Shall we go now?” while an American would probably
say, “Should we go now?”
When Americans want to express a lack of obligation, they use the helping verb do with
negative not followed by need. “You do not need to come to work today.” Brits drop the helping
verb and contract not. “You needn’t come to work today.”
4. Past tense verbs
You will also find some small differences with past forms of irregular verbs.
The past tense of learn in American English is learned. British English has the option
of learned or learnt. The same rule applies to dreamed and dreamt, burned and burnt,
leaned  and  leant.
Americans tend to use the –ed ending; Brits tend to use the -t ending.
In the past participle form, Americans tend to use the –en ending for some irregular verbs.
For example, an American might say, “I have never gotten caught” whereas a Brit would say, “I
have never got caught.” Americans use both got and gotten in the past participle. Brits only
use got.
 Don’t worry too much about these small differences in the past forms of irregular verbs.
People in both countries can easily understand both ways, although Brits tend to think of the
American way as incorrect.
5. Tag questions
A tag question is a grammatical form that turns a statement into a question. For example,
“The whole situation is unfortunate, isn’t it?” or, “You don’t like him, do you?”
The tag includes a pronoun and its matching form of the verb be, have or do. Tag questions
encourage people to respond and agree with the speaker. Americans use tag questions, too, but
less often than Brits. You can learn more about tag questions on a previous episode of Everyday
Grammar.
6. Spelling
There are hundreds of minor spelling differences between British and American English.
You can thank American lexicographer Noah Webster for this. You might recognize Webster’s
name from the dictionary that carries his name.
Noah Webster, an author, politician, and teacher, started an effort to reform English spelling
in the late 1700s.
He was frustrated by the inconsistencies in English spelling. Webster wanted to spell words
the way they sounded. Spelling reform was also a way for America to show its independence
from England.
You can see Webster’s legacy in the American spelling of words like color (from colour),
honor (from honour),  and  labor (from labour). Webster dropped the letter u from these words to
make the spelling match the pronunciation.
Other Webster ideas failed, like a proposal to spell women as wimmen. Since Webster’s death
in 1843, attempts to change spelling rules in American English have gone nowhere.
Not so different after all
British and American English have far more similarities than differences. We think the
difference between American and British English is often exaggerated. If you can understand
one style, you should be able to understand the other style.
With the exception of some regional dialects, most Brits and Americans can understand each
other without too much difficulty. They watch each other’s TV shows, sing each other’s songs,
and read each other’s books.
They even make fun of each other’s accents.

(Adam Brock wrote this article for VOA Learning English.)