American English is the form of English used in the United States. It includes all English dialects used within the United States of America.
British English is the form of English used in the United Kingdom. It includes all English dialects used within the United Kingdom.
1. British vs. American Words
British and American English often use different terms to describe the same thing…
British and American terms:
crisps – chips; potato chips
crocodile clip – alligator clip
current account – checking account
dressing gown – robe; bathrobe
drink-driving – drunk driving
drinks cupboard – liquor cabinet
drinks party – cocktail party
driving licence – driver’s license
dustbin – garbage can
faith school – parochial school
ladybird – ladybug
lift – elevato
lolly – lollipop
lorry – truck
market garden – truck farm
mobile phone – cell phone
motorway – expressway; highway
mum/mummy – mom/mommy
pavement – sidewalk
pedestrian crossing – crosswalk
petrol – gas; gasoline
postbox – mailbox
potato crisp – potato chip
public school – private school
public transport – public transportation
queue – line
racing car – race car
railway – railroad
first floor – second floor
flat – apartment
football – soccer
footway – sidewalk
fringe (hair) – bangs
full stop (punctuation) – period
garden – yard; lawn
ground floor – first floor
holiday – vacation
in hospital – in the hospital
indicator (on a car)turn signal
jumper – sweater
junior school – elementary school…
2. British vs. American Grammar
2.1. Present Perfect and Past Simple
2.2. “Do” for an action/ Tag questions
2.3. Group nouns/ the
2.4. Other differences between British and American English
WILL OR SHALL
- British English:
Will or shall can be used with I/we:
E.g. I will/shall be late this evening.
The questions shall I…? and shall we…? are used to ask for advice, etc.
E.g.: Which way shall we go?
- American English:
Shall is unusual
E.g. I will be late this evening.
Should I…? and should we…? are used to ask for advice, etc.
E.g. Which way should we go?
NEED
- British English:
You can use needn’t (do) or don’t need to (do):
E.g. We needn’t hurry or We don’t need to hurry.
- American English:
Needn’t is unusual. The usual form is don’t need to:
E.g. We don’t need to hurry.
DEMAND
- British English:
After demand, insist etc. you can use “should”:
E.g. I demanded that he should apologies.
We insisted that something should be done about the problem.
- American English:
The subjunctive is normally used. “Should” is unusual after demand, insist etc.:
E.g. I demanded that he apologize.
We insisted that something be done about the problem.