These two varieties of English are very similar. There are a few differences of grammar and spelling, and rather more differences of vocabulary and idiom. Modern British English is heavily influenced by American English, so some of the contrasts are disappearing. Pronunciation is sometimes very different, but most American and British speakers can understand each other without great difficulty.
1. Grammar
Here are examples of the most important differences. Note that in many cases, two different forms are possible in one variety of English, while only one of the forms is possible or normal in the other variety. For more details, look up the sections in other parts of the book where these structures are discussed.
| American English | British English |
| He just went home. | He's just gone home. |
| Do you have a problem? | Have you got a problem? |
| I've never really gotten to know her. | I've never really got to know her. |
| I ( can) see a car coming. | I can see a car coming. |
| Her feet were sore because her shoes fit badly | Her feet were sore because her shoes fitted badly. |
| It's important that he be told. | It's important that he should be told. |
| Will you buy it?' 'I may'. | ……..'I may (do)'. |
| The committee meets tomorrow. | The committee meet/meets tomorrow. |
| (on the phone) Hello, is this Susan? | Hello, is that Susan? |
| It looks like it's going rain. | It looks as if/ like it's going to rain. |
| He looked at me real strange.(very informal) | He looked at me really strangely. |
| One should get to know his neighbours.( formal) | One should get to know one's neighbours. |
| He probably has arrived by now. | He has probably arrived by now. |
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2. Vocabulary
There are very many differences. Sometimes the same word has different meanings (GB mad = ‘crazy’; US mad = ‘angry’). And very often, different words are used for the same idea (GB lorry = US truck). Here are a few examples, with very brief information about the words and their meanings.
| American English | British English |
| airplane | aeroplane |
| anyplace, anywhere | anywhere |
| apartment | flat / apartment |
| area code | dialling code ( phone) |
| attorney, lawyer | barrister , solicitor |
| busy | engaged (phone) |
| cab/ taxi | taxi |
| call collect | reverse the charges(phone) |
| can | tin |
| candy | sweets |
| check / bill | bill ( in a restaurent) |
| coin purse | purse |
| cookie,cracker | biscuit |
| corn | sweet corn , maize |
| crib | cot |
| crazy | mad |
| cuffs | turn -ups (on trousers) |
| diaper | nappy |
| doctor's office | doctor's surgery |
| dumb, stupid | stupid |
| elevator | lift |
| eraser | rubber, eraser |
| fall, autumn | autumn |
| faucet,tap | tap ( indoors) |
| first floor, second floor etc. | Ground floor, first floor etc. |
| flashlight | torch |
| flat (tire) | flat tyre , puncture |
| French fries | chips |
| garbage, trash | rubbish |
| garbage can , trashcan | dustbin, rubbish bin |
| gas(oline) | petrol |
| gear shift | gear liver( on a car) |
| highway, freeway | main road, motorway |
| hood | bonnet( on a car) |
| intersection | crossroads |
| mad | angry |
| | post |
| mean | nasty |
| movie , film | film |
| one way ( ticket) | single (ticket) |
| pants, trousers | trousers |
| pavement | road surface |
| pitcher | jug |
| pocketbook, purse, handbag | handbag |
| (potato) chips | crisps |
| railroad | railway |
| raise | rise (in salary) |
| rest room | public toilet |
| round tip | return ( journey/ticket) |
| schedule | timetable |
| side walk | pavement |
| sneakers | trainers( = sports shoes) |
| spigot,faucet | tap ( outdoors) |
| stand in line | queue |
| stingy | mean ( opposite of 'generous') |
| store , shop | shop |
| subway | underground |
| truck | van, lorry |
| trunk | boot ( of a car) |
| two weeks | fortnight , two weeks |
| vacation | holiday(s) |
| windshield | windscreen ( on a car) |
| zee | zed ( the name of the letter 'z') |
| zipper | zip |
3. Spelling
A number of words end in -or in American English and -our in British English (e.g. color/colour). Some words end in -er in American English and -re in British English (e.g. center! centre). Many verbs which end in -ize in American English (e.g. realize) can be spelt in British English with -ize or -is . Some of the commonest words with different forms are:
| American English | British English |
| aluminum | aluminium |
| analyze | analyse |
| catalog | catalogue |
| center | centre |
| check | cheque (issued by a bank) |
| color | colour |
| defense | defence |
| honor | honour |
| jewelry | jewellery |
| labor | labour |
| pajamas | pyjamas |
| paralyze | paralyse |
| practice ,practise | practise ( verb) |
| program | programme |
| realize | realise / realize |
| theater | theatre |
| tire | tyre( on a wheel) |
| trave(l)ler | traveller |
| whiskey | ( Scotch) whisky; ( Irish) whiskey |
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