Differences Between British Spelling & American Spelling

The main differences between American Spelling and British Spelling are given below: 

• British English words that end in -re (e.g. centre, fibre, theatre) often end in -er in American English (center, fiber, theater). 

• British English words that end in -our (e.g. colour, humour) usually end with -or in American English (color, humor). 

• Verbs in British English that can be spelled with either -ize or -ise at the end (e.g. recognize/recognise) are always spelled with -ize in American English. 

• Verbs in British English that end in -yse (e.g. analyse) are always spelled -yze in American English (analyze). 

• In British spelling, verbs ending in a vowel plus l double the l when adding endings that begin with a vowel (e.g. travel, travelled, traveller). In American English the l is not doubled (travel, traveled, traveler). 

• British English words that are spelled with the double vowels ae or oe (e.g. archaeology, manoeuvre) are just spelled with an e in American English (archeology, maneuver). 

• Some nouns that end with -ence in British English (e.g. licence, defence) are spelled -ense in American English (license, defense). 

• Some nouns that end with -ogue in British English (e.g. dialogue) end with -og in American English (dialog). 

Commonly Confused Words : (American / British) 

Jumper / Pinafore Dress

Sweater / Jumper 

Rubber / Condom 

Eraser / Rubber 

Pants / Trousers 

Panties / Pants 

Chips / Crisps 

French Fries / Chips

Different Words for The Same Thing: (American / British)

Cart / Trolley 

Diaper / Nappy 

Eggplant / Aubergine 

Fall / Autumn 

Line / Queue 

Scallion / Spring onion 

Snow peas / Mange tout 

Trunk / Boot 

Vacation / Holiday 

Zucchini / Courgette