Vocabulary & Style
C1 Lesson 5: Nuances in World Englishes
British English (BrE) 🇬🇧 vs. American English (AmE) 🇺🇸
As English has become a global language, it has developed into many standard forms. While the core grammar is largely the same, different varieties have unique vocabulary, spelling, and nuances.
1. Vocabulary Differences
| American English (AmE) | British English (BrE) |
|---|---|
| apartment | flat |
| vacation | holiday |
| elevator | lift |
| fries | chips |
| chips | crisps |
2. Spelling Differences
- -or (AmE) vs. -our (BrE): color / colour; favorite / favourite
- -er (AmE) vs. -re (BrE): center / centre; theater / theatre
- -ize (AmE) vs. -ise (BrE): organize / organise; realize / realise
- One 'l' (AmE) vs. Two 'l's (BrE): traveling / travelling; canceled / cancelled
3. Grammatical Nuances
Collective Nouns (team, government, etc.):
→ AmE: "The government is making a decision." (Always singular)
→ BrE: "The government are making a decision." (Can be plural)
Recent Past Actions (with 'just', 'already', 'yet'):
→ BrE (Present Perfect): "I've already eaten."
→ AmE (Past Simple): "I already ate."
The Golden Rule 💡
Be Consistent!
Neither variety is "better" or "more correct." The most important rule for an advanced writer is consistency. Choose one style for your document and stick with it. Do not mix 'color' (AmE) and 'centre' (BrE) in the same essay.
Practice Your Skills 🎯
Quiz: Which English?
- A person asks, "Could you tell me where the lift is?" This person is most likely speaking _______.
→ British English (BrE). An American would ask for the 'elevator'. - If you are writing for an American company, how should you spell the word for a place that shows movies?
→ theater (with -er). - "My favourite football team are playing tonight." The use of 'are' with a singular team is characteristic of _______.
→ British English (BrE).
Writing Task: Correct for Consistency
The following paragraph mixes British and American English. Rewrite it twice: once in consistent AmE and once in consistent BrE.
"Last autumn, my favorite part of my vacation was visiting the theatre. I stayed in a lovely apartment in the city center and ate a lot of cookies."
- American English Version:
→ Last fall, my favorite part of my vacation was visiting the theater. I stayed in a lovely apartment in the city center and ate a lot of cookies. - British English Version:
→ Last autumn, my favourite part of my holiday was visiting the theatre. I stayed in a lovely flat in the city centre and ate a lot of biscuits.
Key Vocabulary
- World Englishes The concept that English has many different standard varieties around the world.
- British English (BrE) The standard variety of English used in the United Kingdom.
- American English (AmE) The standard variety of English used in the United States.
- Consistency In writing, the quality of using the same style and rules throughout a text.
Your Vocabulary Mission ⭐
This week, be a language detective! Watch one American movie and one British TV show. Listen for and write down one example of a vocabulary, spelling, or grammar difference you notice.