The important thing to keep in mind is that when you’re writing, choose one version and stick to it.
[table format=1]
| British (UK) | American | |
|---|---|---|
| Past actions with result now | Use present perfect
I’ve lost my mobile phone. Have you seen it?
|
Use present perfect or past simple
I’ve lost my cell phone. Have you seen it? OR I lost my cell phone. Did you see it? |
| Using shall | Either will or shall can be used with the first person (I or we)
I will/shall be late to the meeting because my car’s broken down. Shall can be used to ask for advice. Which version of the report shall we use? |
Shall is unusual
I will be late to the meeting because my car’s broken down. Should is the more usual way to ask advice. Which version of the report should we use? |
| Can’t vs must not | UK English users use can’t to say that they believe something is not probable.
I haven’t heard from David. He can’t have got my message yet. |
US English uses must not when something isn’t probable.
I haven’t heard from David. He must not have got my message yet. |
| The all important weekend | At the weekend/at weekends | On the weekend/on weekends |
| Completing forms
(note: Indian English often uses fill up – it’s not wrong, just different) |
Use either fill in or fill out | Use fill out |
| Round | Use either round or around.
He turned round/around. |
Use around.
He turned around. |
| Front/back | Use at the front or back
Please sit at the front of the room. |
Use in the front or back
Please sit in the front of the room. |
