{"id":88,"date":"2016-09-29T00:09:50","date_gmt":"2016-09-28T23:09:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.nadinka.webd.pl\/letslearnenglish\/?p=88"},"modified":"2025-08-11T10:29:16","modified_gmt":"2025-08-11T09:29:16","slug":"american-vs-british-english","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/letslearnenglish.com\/lv\/american-vs-british-english\/","title":{"rendered":"Amerik\u0101\u0146u un britu ang\u013cu valoda"},"content":{"rendered":"

These two varieties of English may sometimes cause confusion and be a source of misunderstandings or funny situations, even to native-speakers themselves!<\/p>\n

For instance, if someone says pants<\/strong> in the USA<\/strong>, they mean trousers<\/strong>, whereas in the UK<\/strong>, pants is actually short for underpants<\/strong> \u2013 which I have no doubt could lead to some delightful misunderstandings.Imagine a situation at work, when your colleague pays you a complement and says: ” I like your pants!”. You might be wondering which ”pants’ does he or she mean?<\/p>\n

George Bernard Shaw once said:<\/p>\n

America and England are two countries seperated by a common language’<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

WHAT IS DIFFERENT?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
    \n
  • A few differences of grammar and spelling<\/li>\n
  • Pronunciation can be very different, but most American and British speakers will understand each other.<\/li>\n
  • More differences of vocabulary<\/li>\n
  • Some words have one or more additional meanings that are specific to either AmE or BrE: a caravan<\/strong> ”a group of travelers in a desert” ( common to both varieties), BrE caravan <\/b>”vehicle towed by a car” (=<\/b>AmE trailer<\/b>)<\/li>\n
  • Some words have the same meaning in both varieties and additional synonyms: both have pharmacy<\/strong>, but AmE has drugstore<\/strong> and BrE has chemist’s<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
  • There is a list of words which are completely different in AmE and BrE.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    These two small helpful tables will make sure you can use both American English or British English terms in different everyday situations.<\/p>\n

    Enjoy!<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    \n

    British English
    \n<\/span>
    \n<\/span><\/h3>\n

    \n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    American English<\/span>
    \n<\/span><\/h3>\n

     <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    VOCABULARY<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    autumn<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    fall<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    flat<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    apartment<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    building<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    block<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    lift<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    elevator<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    pavement<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    sidewalk<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    motorway<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    freeway<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    petrol<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    gas<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    Boot (a car)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    trunk<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    Bonnet (a car)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    hood<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    junction<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    fork<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    phone box<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    phone booth<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    cinema<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    movie theater<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    headmaster<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    principle<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    caretaker<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    janitor<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    photo<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    snap-shot<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    football<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    soccer<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    public school<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    private school<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    state school<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    public schoo<\/span>l<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    primary school<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    elementary school<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    secondary school<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    high school<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    marks ( exam)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    grades<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    term<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    semester<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    break<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    recess<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    timetable<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    schedule<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    torch<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    flashlight<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    Shopping trolley<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    shopping cart<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    shop<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    store<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    Food shop<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    grocery shop<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    City centre<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    downtown<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    Pedestrian crossing<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    crosswalk<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    toilet<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    restroom<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    Underground\/tube<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    subway<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    Post code<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    zip code<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    bill<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    cheque<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    Shop assistant<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    sales clerk<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    tippex<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    white-out<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    Maths<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    math<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    crisps<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    potato chips<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    chips<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    french fries<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    sweets<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    candy<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    candy floss<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    cotton candy<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    cashpoint<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    ATM<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    lorry<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    truck<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    caravan<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    trailor<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    Police car<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    patrol car<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    postman<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    mailman<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    Chemist\/pharmacy<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    drugstore<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    helicopter<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    chopper<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    rubbish<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    garbage\/trash<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    Waste bin<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    garbage can \/trash can<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    garden<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    yard<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    Ground floor<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    first floor<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    first floor<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    second floor<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    Mobile phone<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    cellphone<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    TV aerial<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    antenna<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    Curtains<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    drapes<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    wardrobe<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    closet<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    Camp bed<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    cot<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    Cot<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    crib<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    child<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    kid<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    queue<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    line<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    trousers<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    pants<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    Pants\/underware<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    shorts<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    trainers<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    sneakers<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    Jumper\/pullover<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    sweater<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    Dressing gown<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    bathrobe<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    nappy<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    diaper<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    pram<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    baby carriage<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    waistcoat<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    vest<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    vest<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    undershirt<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    label<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    tag<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n


    \nGRAMMAR<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    Have got….<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    Have……<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    Have you got…..?<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    Do you have….?<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    He\/She hasn’t got…<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    He\/She doesn’t have…<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    At the weekend<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    On the weekend<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    In the team<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    On the team<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    Write to me soon<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    Write me soon<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    <\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
    SPELLING:<\/strong>
    \ncatalogue – catalog<\/span><\/span>
    \n<\/span>centre – center<\/span>
    \n<\/span>colour<\/span> – color<\/span><\/span>
    \ncheque<\/span> – check<\/span><\/span>
    \nfavourite<\/span> – favorite<\/span><\/span>
    \nhonour<\/span> – honor<\/span><\/span>
    \njewellery<\/span> – jewelry<\/span><\/span>
    \nmetre<\/span> – meter<\/span><\/span>
    \nneighbour<\/span> –neighbor<\/span><\/span>
    \ntyre<\/span>–tire<\/span><\/span>
    \nprogramme<\/span> – program<\/span><\/span>
    \ndraught<\/span> – draft<\/span><\/span>
    \naeroplane<\/span> – airplane<\/span>
    \nlicence<\/span> – license<\/span><\/span>
    \nanalyse<\/span> – analyze<\/span><\/span>
    \nmemorise<\/span> – memorize<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

    And finally, watch the Jonathan Ross show ” Americans Don’t Understand English” to find out more about the differences between American and British English:)<\/p>\n