What's the difference? American & British English? 🇺🇸🇬🇧

Summary

In this video, Emma from mmmEnglish! explores the key differences between British and American English, covering accent, spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and prepositions. She explains how accents vary within both countries, highlights spelling differences like the use of ‘-our’ vs. ‘-or’ and ‘-ise’ vs. ‘-ize’, and discusses how vocabulary differs in everyday terms. Emma also touches on grammar variations, such as preposition use and the treatment of collective nouns. She emphasizes that while the differences can be confusing, understanding the specific type of English needed for exams or work can make learning easier and more effective.

Takeaways

• 😀 British English and American English are not 'better' or 'more correct' than each other, but understanding the differences can help learners choose the version that's most relevant for them.
• 😀 The main differences between British and American English include accent, spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and prepositions.
• 😀 Accent differences are most noticeable, with regional accents in both the UK and the US varying greatly. Standard British and American English accents also differ in vowel pronunciation and the 'flap T' sound.
• 😀 American English often spells words more phonetically (e.g., 'color' vs. 'colour', 'honor' vs. 'honour').
• 😀 In British English, verbs like 'travel' and 'model' have double 'l' when adding -ed or -ing, whereas American English uses a single 'l'.
• 😀 Some words in British and American English have different spellings, such as 'centre' (UK) vs. 'center' (US), and 'defence' (UK) vs. 'defense' (US).
• 😀 Vocabulary differences can be confusing, even for native speakers. For example, 'coriander' in British English is 'cilantro' in American English.
• 😀 Prepositions can also differ; for example, Americans say 'on the weekend,' while Brits use 'at the weekend'.
• 😀 When it comes to tenses, British English prefers the present perfect tense for recent actions affecting the present, while American English often uses the past simple.
• 😀 Collective nouns are treated differently: American English uses singular verbs (e.g., 'The team is') while British English can use either singular or plural verbs depending on context (e.g., 'The team is' or 'The team are').
• 😀 Despite these differences, the two forms of English are largely similar, and native speakers from both countries can easily understand each other.

Q & A

What are the main areas of difference between British English and American English?

The main areas of difference between British English and American English are accent, spelling, vocabulary, and some aspects of grammar, including the use of prepositions and collective nouns.

Why is it important to understand the differences between British and American English?

Understanding the differences is important because it can affect your English exam scores, your reputation in professional settings, and your overall communication effectiveness in different English-speaking regions.

What is a key pronunciation difference between British and American English accents?

A key pronunciation difference is that American English speakers pronounce the 'R' sound after vowels, while most British English speakers do not. Additionally, American English often uses the 'flap T' sound, which sounds like a 'D' in words like 'water' and 'butter'.

How does American English spelling differ from British English spelling?

American English spelling differs in several ways, such as words ending in '-our' in British English (e.g., 'colour') being spelled '-or' in American English (e.g., 'color'). Other examples include 'realise' in British English versus 'realize' in American English, and 'centre' versus 'center'.

Can you give an example of how vocabulary differs between British and American English?

Yes, an example is the herb 'coriander' in British English, which is known as 'cilantro' in American English. There are many such differences in everyday vocabulary between the two types of English.

What is a common difference in the use of prepositions between British and American English?

A common difference is in phrases referring to the weekend. In American English, people typically say 'on the weekend', while in British English, 'at the weekend' is more common. For workdays, Americans use 'Monday through Friday', while Britons use 'Monday to Friday'.

How do collective nouns differ in British and American English?

In American English, collective nouns are usually treated as singular (e.g., 'The team is winning'). In British English, collective nouns can be singular or plural depending on context (e.g., 'The team is winning' or 'The team are winning').

What is the role of context when understanding vocabulary differences?

Context plays an important role in understanding vocabulary differences because native speakers often use the context of a conversation to infer the meaning of unfamiliar words. If context is not enough, speakers may need to ask for clarification.

Is one type of English 'better' or 'more correct' than the other?

No, neither British English nor American English is better or more correct than the other. Both are standard and valid forms of English, and the choice between them depends on personal or situational preference.

How can learners make sure they are using the correct type of English for their needs?

Learners can make sure they are using the correct type of English by focusing on the English used in their specific region or for their specific needs, such as preparing for a university in the UK or working in the US. Using tools like spellcheck set to the appropriate English type and finding native teachers from the target region can help.