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Ge-Purposive Communication British and American English

The document summarizes some of the key differences between British and American English, including differences in grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and pronunciation. Specifically, it notes that American English often uses the past simple tense while British English uses the present perfect tense. It also provides examples of differences in words used to describe common items, places, and actions between the two variants of English. Some examples given are bonnet vs hood, rubbish vs garbage, flat vs apartment, and jumper vs sweater. The document aims to highlight areas of divergence in terminology and grammar between British and American English.

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532 views2 pages

Ge-Purposive Communication British and American English

The document summarizes some of the key differences between British and American English, including differences in grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and pronunciation. Specifically, it notes that American English often uses the past simple tense while British English uses the present perfect tense. It also provides examples of differences in words used to describe common items, places, and actions between the two variants of English. Some examples given are bonnet vs hood, rubbish vs garbage, flat vs apartment, and jumper vs sweater. The document aims to highlight areas of divergence in terminology and grammar between British and American English.

Uploaded by

vince
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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GE-PURPOSIVE 

COMMUNICATION

BRITISH and AMERICAN ENGLISH

One of the most obvious differences between British English and American English is the
pronunciation, but there are also variations in grammar, spelling and vocabulary. 
American English often uses the past simple while British English uses the present perfect (I
already did it----I’ve already done it); have got is usually used to talk about possession in British
English while have is used in american English; prepositions are often used differently e.g. Write
me soon in American English versus Write to me soon in British English.
With regards to spelling, American English often has  a single consonant while British English
has a double consonant (traveling- travelling) and it uses the spelling -ize,  -or and -er whereas
British English traditionally prefers   -ise,  -our and   -re (organize-organise, color-colour, center-
centre).
Variations in slang and colloquial expressions naturally exist in the two nations, but even
everyday words can be different---pants and trousers, elevator and lift, autumn and fall-- which
can lead to misunderstandings.

Study the following British and American English words.

1. In the UK, the front of a car is the bonnet; in the US, the front of the is the hood.
2. In the UK, the back of a car is the boot; in the US, the back of a car is the trunk.
3. In the UK, you throw rubbish in the dustbin; in the US, you throw garbage in the trash
can.
4. In the UK, you throw away rubbish; in the US, you throw away garbage.
5. In the UK, you eat crisps; in the US, you eat chips.
6. In the UK, you eat chips; in the US, you eat fries.
7. In the UK, you live with a flatmate; in the US, you live with a roommate.
8. In the UK, you live in a flat; in the US , you live in an apartment.
9. In the UK, you eat sweets; in the US, you eat candy.
10. In the UK, you wear a jumper; in the US, you wear a sweater.
11. In the UK, the third season is autumn; in the US, the third season is fall.
12. In the UK, you drive a lorry; in the US, you drive a truck.
13. In the UK, you put petrol in your car; in the US, you put  gas in your car.
14. In the UK, you wait in a queue; in the US, you wait in a line.
15. In the UK, you go on a holiday; in the US, you go on vacation.
16. In the UK, you wear trousers, in the US, you wear pants.
17. In the UK, you go to the cinema; in the US, you go to the movies.
18. In the UK, you take a lift; in the US, you take an elevator.
19. In the UK, you buy a return ticket; in the US you buy a roundtrip ticket.
20. In the UK, you eat biscuits; in the US, you eat cookies.
AMERICAN BRITISH

eager keen

exhausted knackered

drunk pissed

crazy mad

Her name is She’s called

eraser rubber

schedule timetable

flashlight torch

elevator lift

sucker lolly

eggplant aubergine

stroller- pushchair

Baby carriage pram

sunscreen suncream

call ring

Line  queue

I like I’m keen on/I’m fond of/I fancy

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