Differences Between British Spelling & American Spelling
IELTSruThe 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