American and British English

Minor differences

What is different?

• These two varieties of English are very similar.• A few differences of grammar and spelling.• More differences of vocabulary.• Pronunciation can be very different, but most

American and British speakers can understand each other easily.

Grammar differencesBritish American

I’ve lost my key. Have you seen it? I lost my key. Have you seen it?

Have a bath / shower Take a bath / shower

I will / shall be late this evening. I will be late this evening. (shall sjaldgæft)

We needn’t hurry / We don’t need to hurry.

We don’t need to hurry.

We demanded that something should be done about the problem.

We demanded that something be done about the problem.

He was taken to hospital. He was taken to the hospital.

At the weekend On the weekend.

Do you live in this street? Do you live on this street?

Sjá frekari dæmi bls. 282-283 í Ný e. málfr.

Vocabulary differencesBritish American

flat, apartment apartment

barrister, solicitor, lawyer attorney, lawyer

tin, can can

sweets candy

bill (in a restaurant) check / bill

biscuit cookie, cracker

sweet corn, maize corn

cot crib

mad crazy

pedestrian / zebra crossing crosswalk

Vocabulary differencesBritish American

nappy diaper

lift elevator

rubber, eraser eraser

flat tyre, puncture flat (tire)

chips french fries

crisps potato chips

rubbish garbage, trash

petrol gas(oline)

main road, motorway highway, freeway

bonnet (on a car) hood

Vocabulary differencesBritish American

angry mad

nasty mean

pavement sidewalk

trainers sneakers

van, lorry truck

holiday(s) vacation

Spelling differences

British Americananalyse analyzecentre centercheque (ávísun) checkhonour honorlitre literpyjamas pajamas

A number of words end in –or in Am. English and –our in Brit. English (color / colour). Some words end in –er in Am. English and –re in Brit. English (center / centre). Many verbs which end in –ize in Am. English can be spelled with –ize or –ise in Brit. English.