One of the most asked questions that I receive from students is what the difference is between British & American English?
The most noticeable difference between American and British English is vocabulary. There are hundreds of everyday words that are different.
However, one thing to remember is that "American" is not a language; "American English" is a dialect of English. Americans write and speak differently than citizens of England. The differences between the two dialects are limited and superficial, but can still cause confusion..
The most noticeable difference between American and British English is vocabulary. There are hundreds of everyday words that are different.
However, one thing to remember is that "American" is not a language; "American English" is a dialect of English. Americans write and speak differently than citizens of England. The differences between the two dialects are limited and superficial, but can still cause confusion..
The difference between British & English words can be complicated in conversation because each country may have a different meaning attached to the other's word.
Example:
British "Braces" vs American "Suspenders"
"Braces" in American English is: Dental braces are devices used in orthodontics that align and straighten teeth and help position them with regard to a person's bite
So, if you say to an American "I need my braces to keep my pants up", they'll probably look at you strange.
Example:
British "Braces" vs American "Suspenders"
"Braces" in American English is: Dental braces are devices used in orthodontics that align and straighten teeth and help position them with regard to a person's bite
So, if you say to an American "I need my braces to keep my pants up", they'll probably look at you strange.
Ordering food in another country can be difficult when the food names are used for a completely different item in that country.
Examples:
British "Chips" vs American "French Fries"
"Chips" in American English are:
1. A small piece of something removed in the course of chopping, cutting, or breaking a hard material such as wood or stone.
2. A long rectangular piece of deep-fried potato.
British "Biscuit" vs American "Cookie"
"Biscuit" in American English is: Biscuit is a term used for a variety of primarily flour-based baked food products. The term is applied to two distinct products in North America and the Commonwealth of Nations and Europe.
Examples:
British "Chips" vs American "French Fries"
"Chips" in American English are:
1. A small piece of something removed in the course of chopping, cutting, or breaking a hard material such as wood or stone.
2. A long rectangular piece of deep-fried potato.
British "Biscuit" vs American "Cookie"
"Biscuit" in American English is: Biscuit is a term used for a variety of primarily flour-based baked food products. The term is applied to two distinct products in North America and the Commonwealth of Nations and Europe.
There are several areas in which British and American spelling are different. The differences often come about because British English has tended to keep the spelling of words it has absorbed from other languages (e.g. French), while American English has adapted the spelling to reflect the way that the words actually sound when they're spoken.
British "Flat" vs American "Apartment"
Though it is rare, there often comes along a time where two words mean the same thing though they are often used by different people differently. Two such terms are ‘apartment’ and ‘flat.’ Both of these terms mean the same thing, or more accurately have a similar definition. They primarily define a set of rooms that are used for individual residence, i.e. living in.However, the actual implication of what an apartment or a flat define may differ from region to region, as in the UK, an apartment can be a set of rooms set within a house. Whereas, in other parts of the world, such as the USA, the terms may indicate a condo, i.e. individual living spaces in a building.
As indicated, the primary difference between an apartment and a flat is that the term ‘apartment’ is mostly used in American English, whereas ‘flat’ is used in UK or British English. However, due to globalization, both of these terms are now commonly being used interchangeable around the world.
British and American English have far more similarities than differences. We think the difference between American and British English is often exaggerated. If you can understand one style, you should be able to understand the other style.
Though it is rare, there often comes along a time where two words mean the same thing though they are often used by different people differently. Two such terms are ‘apartment’ and ‘flat.’ Both of these terms mean the same thing, or more accurately have a similar definition. They primarily define a set of rooms that are used for individual residence, i.e. living in.However, the actual implication of what an apartment or a flat define may differ from region to region, as in the UK, an apartment can be a set of rooms set within a house. Whereas, in other parts of the world, such as the USA, the terms may indicate a condo, i.e. individual living spaces in a building.
As indicated, the primary difference between an apartment and a flat is that the term ‘apartment’ is mostly used in American English, whereas ‘flat’ is used in UK or British English. However, due to globalization, both of these terms are now commonly being used interchangeable around the world.
British and American English have far more similarities than differences. We think the difference between American and British English is often exaggerated. If you can understand one style, you should be able to understand the other style.