In this lesson we’re looking at some differences between British English (BrE) and American English (AmE).
We’ll concentrate on differences in vocabulary, spelling, grammar and expressions.
Have fun with the lesson, and don’t forget to try the quizzes.
– James.
Lesson Contents
Differences in vocabulary
Here are fifteen vocabulary differences between BrE and AmE, there are a LOT more, but these are the most common ones.
BrE | AmE |
|---|---|
flat (residence) | apartment |
block of flats | apartment building |
garden | yard |
car park | parking lot |
football | soccer |
holiday | vacation |
queue (n) | line |
film | movie |
petrol | gas |
pavement | sidewalk |
toilet | bathroom / restroom |
crisps | (potato) chips |
off-licence | liquor store |
autumn | fall |
bill (restaurant) | check |
Match the BrE and AmE words together.
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| Pos. | Name | Entered on | Points | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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- 1
- 2
- 3
- Current
- Review
- Answered
- Correct
- Incorrect
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Question 1 of 3
1. Question
Sort elements
- fall
- elevator
- sidewalk
- restroom
- gas
- yard
-
autumn
-
lift
-
pavement
-
toilet
-
petrol
-
garden
CorrectIncorrect -
Question 2 of 3
2. Question
Sort elements
- potato chips
- soccer
- movie
- apartment
- line
- vacation
-
crisps
-
football
-
film
-
flat
-
queue
-
holiday
CorrectIncorrect -
Question 3 of 3
3. Question
Sort elements
- apartment building
- parking lot
- liquor store
- pants
- drug store
- truck
-
block of flats
-
car park
-
off licence
-
trousers
-
pharmacy
-
lorry
CorrectIncorrect
Differences in expressions
Have a look at these ten BrE expressions, and their AmE versions. Once again, many more exist but these are the most common ones.
BrE | AmE |
|---|---|
what time is it? | do you have the time? |
going to | gonna |
want to | wanna |
it's ten to five | it's ten of five |
it's ten past five | it's ten after five |
brush the path | sweep the path |
wait in a queue | stand in line |
satellite tv | cable tv |
twice | two times |
Monday to Friday | Monday thru Friday |
Read the BrE sentences, and choose the correct AmE versions. Be careful of vocabulary, spelling and grammar.
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Question 1 of 5
1. Question
I've got a small flat in the centre of town.
CorrectIncorrect -
Question 2 of 5
2. Question
Brush the toilet and kitchen, please.
CorrectIncorrect -
Question 3 of 5
3. Question
I had to queue to deposit the cheque at the bank.
CorrectIncorrect -
Question 4 of 5
4. Question
I'm going to get satellite so I can watch more films.
CorrectIncorrect -
Question 5 of 5
5. Question
My kids have football practice every day, Friday to Sunday.
CorrectIncorrect
Differences in spelling
As well as vocabulary differences, many words are spelled differently in AmE. Have a look at these 5 BrE words, and their AmE versions. Once again, many more exist but these are the most common ones.
BrE | AmE |
|---|---|
cheque | check |
through | thru |
theatre | theater |
colour | color |
apologise | apologize |
Differences in grammar
- Sometimes, in AmE, adjectives are used instead of adverbs:
It hurts really bad!
(not badly)
They played quite good.
(not well)
- Also, many verbs are conjugated differently in AmE:
He learned to drive on the right, but he’s gotten used to driving on the left.
(BrE = learnt, got)
They sneaked into the building and lighted the fire.
(BrE = snuck, lit)
Read the conversations that use BrE, and write the AmE versions.
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| Pos. | Name | Entered on | Points | Result |
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Question 1 of 3
1. Question
A: Did you see The Green Mile on satellite last night?
B: Yes, even though I've seen it twice already.
A: Three times for me, I love that film.
B: Me too. I think I'm going to download it.
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A: Did you see The Green Mile on last night?
B: Yes, even though I've seen it already.
A: Three times for me, I love that .
B: Me too. I think I'm download it.
CorrectIncorrect -
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Question 2 of 3
2. Question
A: Give me the bill, I'll pay for dinner.
B: No, it's on me. I can't read it, this restaurant is lit so dimly!
-
A: Give me the , I'll pay for dinner.
B: No, it's on me. I can't read it, this restaurant is so dimly!
CorrectIncorrect -
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Question 3 of 3
3. Question
A: We need to stop for petrol, there's a station coming up.
B: Great. I'll have to pay by cheque.
A: Can you get some crisps while you're in there?
B: Sure.
-
A: We need to stop for , there's a station coming up.
B: Great. I'll have to pay by .
A: Can you get some while you're in there?
B: Sure.
CorrectIncorrect -
