Question

Explain 10 differences in BRITISH / AMERICAN English.

Answer 1

The English language was introduced to the Americas by British colonisation, beginning in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. Differences between the two include pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary (lexis), spelling, punctuation, idioms, and formatting of dates and numbers. This is part of many peoples individualised knowledge and test prep.

Answer 2

The table below shows the different vocabulary words used in the British and American versions of English.  For example, a British person would use the word "rucksack" to describe a large bag with two shoulder straps that many school children use to bring their books to school.  An American would call this same kind of bag a "backpack". 

Directions:

Fill in the blanks in the table below with the correct the British English or American English vocabulary word.  When finished, scroll down to the comments section and check your answers.

British and American Vocabulary

British English	American English
rucksack	backpack
	pants
flat
	hood (the front of the car)
boot (the back of the car)
	truck
university
holiday
	sweater
crisps
	fries
trainers
	soda
	mailbox
biscuit
	drugstore/pharmacy
shop
	soccer

Comments

ANSWERS

British English                      American English

rucksack                                    backpack
trousers                                    pants
flat                                                    apartment
bonnet                                            hood (the front of the car)
boot (the back of the car)    trunk
lorry                                            truck
university                                    college
holiday                                            vacation
jumper                                            sweater
crisps                                            chips
chips                                            fries
trainers                                            sneakers
fizzy drink                                    soda
postbox                                   mailbox
biscuit                                           cookie
chemist                                           drugstore/pharmacy
shop                                           store
football                                   soccer

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Great list of differences

Answer 3

In the video and in the text you can read about some differences between British and American English. Can you find more?

https://www.britishcouncilfoundation.id/en/english/articles/british-and-american-english

https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/six-difference-between-britsh-and-american-english/3063743.html

Thanks to VOA and British Council Foundation