The Difference between American and British English
April 12, 2017
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12/04/17 The Difference between American and British English
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.
There are many differences in vocabulary. 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:
| American English | British English | American English | British English |
| airplane | aeroplane | french fries | chips |
| apartment | flat/apartment | garbage, trash | rubbish |
| area code | dialing code | gas(oline) | petrol |
| attorney, lawyer | barrister, solicitor | highway, freeway | main road, motorway |
| cab/taxi | taxi | post | |
| call collect | reverse charges | movie/film | film |
| can | tin | restroom | public toilet |
| candy | sweets | sidewalk | pavement |
| cookie, cracker | biscuit | sneakers | trainers, sports shoes |
| elevator | lift | stand in line | queue |
| eraser | rubber/eraser | store/shop | shop |
| fall/autumn | autumn | subway | underground |
| first floor, second floor | ground floor, first floor, second floor… | vacation | holiday(s) |
