English changes. It adapts. It borrows and shifts. New words are added, words change meaning. So when you see ‘organise’ where you expect to see ‘organize’ or ‘centre’ where you are used to ‘center’ remember that different people use the language differently.
Anyway, here are some of the major differences (I’ll give you some more next time!).
[table format=1]
| British (UK) | American | |
|---|---|---|
| Spelling | Travel ⇒ travelling/travelled
Cancel ⇒ cancelling/cancelled |
Travel ⇒ traveling/traveled
Cancel ⇒ canceling/canceled |
| Preposition use | Do up a room, etc. (redecorate or renovate)i.e.
This building looks great now that it has been done up. |
Do over a room, etc.i.e.
This building looks great now that it has been done over. |
| Definite article use | Three people were taken to hospital. | Three people were taken to the hospital. |
| Have vs take | Have a bath
Have a shower Have a break Have a holiday |
Take a bath
Take a shower Take a break Take a vacation |
| Present perfect use | Present perfect is used with just, already and yet
I’m not hungry. I’ve just had lunch. What time is Mark leaving? He has already left. Have you finished your work yet? |
Use wither present perfect or past simple
I’m not hungry. I’ve just had lunch. OR I just had lunch. What time is Mark leaving? He has already left. OR He already left. Have you finished your work yet? OR Did you finish your work yet? |
| Past participles | Burn – burned or burnt
Spell – spelled or spelt Get – got (Your English has got much better.) |
Burn – burned
Spell – spelled Get – gotten (Your English has gotten much better.) |
| Get on vs get along | Get on = progress
How are you getting on with that task? Get on (with somebody) I get on really well with the new boss. |
Get on ≠ progressGet along (with somebody)
I get along really well with the new boss. |
