American English
because she said people in her country have
never used it. I told her that it is not common
for the Americans but it is how it is spelled
in BE. The above story shows that what is
common in BE might be uncommon in AE.
To get more understanding of the spelling
differences, below is a list of words which are
spelled differently in BE and AE.
colour
labour
humour
honour
centre
theatre
metre
Programme
analyse
travelled
cheque
pyjamas
catalogue
manoevure
aeroplane
aluminium
whilst
cosy
plough
mould
tyre
BE
color
labor
humor
honor
center
theater
meter
program
analyze
traveled
check
pajamas
catalog
maneuver
airplane
aluminum
while
cozy
plow
mold
tire
AE
Grammar. needn’t vs don’t need. In BE
needn’t is often used instead of don’t need.
For example, they needn’t come to school
today. In AE needn’t is very unusual and the
common form is don’t need to. For example,
they don’t need to come to school today.
shall vs will. In BE shall is sometimes used as
an alternative to will to talk about the future.
For example; I shall/will be there later. In AE
shall is unusual and will is normally used.
In BE shall I/we is often used to ask for
advice or opinion. For example, Shall we ask
him to come with us? In AE should is often
used instead of shall. For example, should we
ask him to come with us?
past tense forms. Below is a table showing
verbs which have different simple past and
past participle forms in BE and AE. Note that
the irregular past forms burnt, dreamt and
spoilt are possible in AE, but less common than
the forms ending in ed.
Vocabulary. There are a number of words
which are commonly used in BE and not in AE
and vice versa. Below is a list of words in BE
and their equivalents in AE.
BE
Lift
Underground train
motorway
City centre
Public toilet
Economy class
return
single
Hand luggage
timetable
Car park
gaol
mate
football
garden
Ground floor
jumper
Loo ( toilet )
queue
Railway
AE
elevator
subway
freeway
downtown
restroom
Coach class
round trip
One way
Carry-on baggage
schedule
Parking lot
jail
buddy
soccer
Yard, lawn
First floor
sweater
John ( toilet )
line
railroad
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