British and American
Colour and color, lift and elevator, maths and math: the same language, two habits.
programme vs program
Programme is the standard British spelling for schedules and broadcasts, while program is the universal term for computing and the standard American spelling for all contexts.
A British schedule, broadcast, or plan.
The local gallery has organized a diverse programme of summer workshops for children.
Software code or Americanized schedule spelling.
She spent the entire afternoon writing a new program to automate her spreadsheets.
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I am watching a very interesting nature program on the BBC tonight.
I am watching a very interesting nature programme on the BBC tonight.
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The developer is updating the programme to fix several security vulnerabilities.
The developer is updating the program to fix several security vulnerabilities.
Remember British 'programme' has extra letters for everything except computers.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
We need to print the wedding before the guests arrive at the venue.
- 2.
The computer crashed immediately after I tried to save the final draft.
colour vs color
Colour is the standard spelling in British English, while color is the standard spelling in American English.
The British spelling of the noun.
The artist chose a vibrant shade of blue to be the primary colour.
The American spelling of the noun.
The bright color of the flowers attracted several bees to the garden.
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The London sky is often a grey color during the winter months.
The London sky is often a grey colour during the winter months.
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The American flag features the colour red, white, and blue.
The American flag features the color red, white, and blue.
Remember British English uses the 'u'; American English drops it.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
Leaves often change their when the temperature begins to drop in autumn.
- 2.
You can adjust the settings on your monitor to reduce eye strain.
centre vs center
Centre is the standard spelling in British English, while center is the standard spelling in American English.
The middle point or a building.
The new shopping centre opened in the middle of the town last week.
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The London community center offers free classes for local residents.
The London community centre offers free classes for local residents.
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The basketball game took place at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles.
The basketball game took place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Remember British English uses -re; American English uses -er.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
Please place the vase in the exact of the dining table.
- 2.
He stood in the of the room to address the crowd.
favourite vs favorite
British English uses the -our spelling, while American English uses the -or spelling.
Preferred above all others (British).
Blue has always been my favourite colour for home decor.
Preferred above all others (American).
Pizza is a favorite meal for many families on Friday nights.
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In London, fish and chips is the most favorite meal.
In London, fish and chips is the most favourite meal.
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The American president discussed his favourite policy during the interview.
The American president discussed his favorite policy during the interview.
Remember ColoUr and favoUrite belong to the UK.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
The teacher asked the students to name their literary character.
- 2.
What is your memory from your time living in New York?
travelling vs traveling
Travelling is the standard spelling in British English, while traveling is the standard spelling in American English.
The British spelling of the participle.
She spent three months travelling across Europe after finishing her degree.
The American spelling of the participle.
The sales team is traveling to Chicago for the annual conference next week.
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The company policy for traveling expenses follows UK government guidelines.
The company policy for travelling expenses follows UK government guidelines.
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Most Americans enjoy travelling to national parks during the summer months.
Most Americans enjoy traveling to national parks during the summer months.
Remember Double L for London; single L for Los Angeles.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
by train is often more relaxing than driving through heavy traffic.
- 2.
light makes it much easier to navigate busy airport terminals.
cancelled vs canceled
British English doubles the final 'l' when adding suffixes to this verb, while American English uses a single 'l'.
The standard spelling in British English.
The airline cancelled all flights to London due to the heavy fog.
The standard spelling in American English.
The game was canceled after the stadium lights stopped working.
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The BBC reported that the show was canceled due to low ratings.
The BBC reported that the show was cancelled due to low ratings.
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My flight to New York was cancelled because of the snowstorm.
My flight to New York was canceled because of the snowstorm.
Remember Double L for London; single L for Liberty.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
She felt relieved when the morning meeting was finally .
- 2.
He his subscription because he no longer used the service.
maths vs math
Maths is the standard term in British English, while math is the standard term in American English.
The British term for mathematics.
She decided to study advanced maths at a university in London next year.
The American term for mathematics.
He needs to pass his math final to graduate from high school.
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The students in London are preparing for their math exams.
The students in London are preparing for their maths exams.
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I am moving to New York to study maths at NYU.
I am moving to New York to study math at NYU.
Remember Maths = British plural-style; Math = American singular-style.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
Our teacher gave us a very difficult set of equations for homework.
- 2.
The new curriculum focuses heavily on problem solving and critical thinking.
at the weekend vs on the weekend
At the weekend is the standard British English prepositional phrase, while on the weekend is the standard American English equivalent.
at the weekend
British English for Saturday and Sunday.
We usually go for a long walk in the countryside at the weekend.
on the weekend
American English for Saturday and Sunday.
I need to finish painting the guest room on the weekend.
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I am flying to London to see my family on the weekend.
I am flying to London to see my family at the weekend.
Remember At for the UK, On for the USA.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
The museum is always much busier than during the week.
- 2.
Do you have any special plans for what to do ?
have got vs have
Have got is an informal, present-tense alternative to have for possession and obligation, used primarily in British English.
have got
not English
Informal possession or current obligation.
Possession, states, or habitual actions.
Most modern apartments in this city have central heating and double glazing.
Remember Have got is for now; have is for always.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
Do you enough time to finish the report before the meeting starts?
shall vs will
Will is the standard marker for future intent and prediction, while shall is restricted to formal offers, suggestions, or legal obligations.
Formal offers and legal requirements.
Shall we move into the dining room for the next part of the evening?
General future actions and predictions.
The weather report says it will rain for most of the coming weekend.
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Will I open the window for you since it is hot in here?
Shall I open the window for you since it is hot in here?
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We shall go to the cinema tomorrow if you are free.
We will go to the cinema tomorrow if you are free.
Remember Will for the future; Shall for a formal offer.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
The tenant maintain the property in good condition throughout the lease term.
- 2.
I call you as soon as the meeting finishes this afternoon.
got vs gotten
Gotten is the standard past participle in American English for obtaining or becoming, while British English uses got for all past participle functions.
The universal past participle in British English.
He has got much better at playing the piano since he started lessons.
American past participle for acquiring or changing.
The weather has gotten much colder since the sun went down this evening.
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The traffic has got much worse since they started the roadworks.
The traffic has gotten much worse since they started the roadworks.
Remember US: Gotten for getting; Got for having.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
I realized I had the wrong directions halfway through the journey.
- 2.
She has finally a new job after months of searching.
in hospital vs in the hospital
British English omits the definite article to indicate a patient's status, while American English retains the article for both patients and visitors.
Receiving medical treatment as a patient.
My grandmother has been in hospital for three days following her hip surgery.
in the hospital
Located inside the medical building.
She works as a senior surgeon in the hospital downtown.
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The doctor says I need to stay in the hospital for observation tonight.
The doctor says I need to stay in hospital for observation tonight.
Remember No 'the' means you're the patient.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
He cannot attend the meeting because he is still recovering.
- 2.
I am waiting cafeteria until the visiting hours begin.
at university vs at college
British English uses 'at university' for higher education, while American English uses 'at college' for the same level of study.
at university
Studying for a degree in British English.
She is currently studying law at university in London.
at college
Studying for a degree in American English.
My brother is a sophomore at college in California.
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My cousin is studying engineering at college in Oxford.
My cousin is studying engineering at university in Oxford.
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He decided to play football while he was at university in Texas.
He decided to play football while he was at college in Texas.
Remember UK: University. US: College.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
We met while we were both twenty years ago.
- 2.
They spent four years before starting their careers.
holiday vs vacation
Holiday is the standard British term for time away from work or school, while vacation is the preferred American equivalent.
Time off work or school (UK).
We are planning to go to Greece for our summer holiday this year.
Time off work or school (US).
She still has two weeks of paid vacation left to use before December.
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I am taking a two-week holiday to visit my cousins in New York.
I am taking a two-week vacation to visit my cousins in New York.
Remember Holiday = UK. Vacation = USA.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
The office will be closed because Monday is a public in England.
- 2.
The family rented a small cabin in the mountains for their winter .
flat vs apartment
Flat is the standard British term for a self-contained home on one floor, while apartment is the preferred American term.
A British home on one floor.
They decided to rent a small flat in central London for the summer.
An American home on one floor.
He moved into a modern apartment in New York to be near work.
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I am looking for a cheap apartment in London near the underground.
I am looking for a cheap flat in London near the underground.
Remember Flat = British. Apartment = American.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
Her new has a wonderful view of the park from the balcony.
- 2.
The building has twenty separate and a shared gym for all residents.
lift vs elevator
Lift is the standard term in British English, while elevator is the standard term in American English.
British term for a moving platform.
The lift is out of order, so we'll have to take the stairs.
American term for a moving platform.
We took the elevator to the top floor of the skyscraper.
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When I visited London, I took the elevator to my hotel room.
When I visited London, I took the lift to my hotel room.
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The lift in the New York apartment building was very small.
The elevator in the New York apartment building was very small.
Remember Lift is British; Elevator is American.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
Please hold the for me while I grab my suitcase.
- 2.
The office building has four high-speed for the staff.
lorry vs truck
Lorry is the standard British term for a heavy goods vehicle, while truck is the American equivalent.
British term for a heavy goods vehicle.
The lorry driver stopped at a service station near Manchester for a break.
American term for a heavy goods vehicle.
He drove his truck across the state line to deliver the construction materials.
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The driver parked his lorry outside the diner in downtown Chicago.
The driver parked his truck outside the diner in downtown Chicago.
Remember Lorry = London. Truck = Texas.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
A large blocked the narrow country lane during the morning delivery.
- 2.
The shipping company purchased a new fleet of for long-haul routes.
queue vs line
Queue is the standard British term for a waiting row, while line is the American equivalent.
An American row of waiting people.
There was a massive line outside the stadium before the concert started.
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When I visited London, I stood in a long line for the underground.
When I visited London, I stood in a long queue for the underground.
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Americans usually wait in a queue at the grocery store checkout.
Americans usually wait in a line at the grocery store checkout.
Remember Queue is for the Queen; Line is for Liberty.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
The commuters stood in an orderly at the bus stop this morning.
- 2.
I waited in for twenty minutes just to get a coffee.
petrol vs gasoline/gas
Petrol is the standard term in British English, while gasoline or gas is used in American English.
Refined fuel for cars in Britain.
The price of petrol has risen sharply at stations across London this month.
gasoline/gas
not English
Refined fuel for cars in America.
Remember Petrol for the UK; Gas for the USA.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
We should stop for before we head out onto the motorway.
underground/tube vs subway
Underground and tube refer to the London rail network, while subway is the standard term for American systems.
underground/tube
not English
The subterranean railway system in London.
An underground urban railroad in America.
The New York subway runs twenty-four hours a day for commuters.
Remember London takes the Tube; New York takes the Subway.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
He missed the last home and had to call a taxi.
crisps vs chips
British crisps are thin, cold potato snacks, while British chips are thick, hot, fried potato strips.
Thin, cold, crunchy potato slices.
He opened a bag of salt and vinegar crisps during the lunch break.
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I bought a packet of chips to eat at my desk.
I bought a packet of crisps to eat at my desk.
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The steak comes with a side of hot, salty crisps.
The steak comes with a side of hot, salty chips.
Remember Crisps are crunchy; chips are chunky.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
The children are eating cheese and onion at the picnic.
- 2.
The pub serves thick-cut with a side of garlic mayonnaise.
football vs soccer
Football refers to the world's most popular sport in British English, while soccer is the standard term for that same sport in American English.
The global game played with feet.
Millions of fans across Europe watch football every Saturday afternoon.
The American name for association football.
Major League Soccer has grown significantly in popularity over the last decade.
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I watched a great soccer match at Wembley Stadium in London.
I watched a great football match at Wembley Stadium in London.
Remember Soccer is American; Football is British (unless you're in the US).
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
He joined a local club to improve his dribbling skills.
- 2.
The kids are playing at the park after school today.