What is the difference between British English and American

What is the difference between British

English and American English?

Relatively little. However, the following list highlights the difference

between Biritish English and American English.

Apart from

the spelling differences - you can see those by c

licking on the

USA - GB

differences

at the left hand side of this page - there are a number of differences in

vocabulary listed below.

I suggest you look them

over because you never know when you may run into an

Am

erican after studying British English, or when you may run into a Brit after having

studied American English.

Having been to England a number of tim

es now myself, I can assure you that the

differences between Am

erican and British vocabulary are just enough to cause a few

laughs.

Well, maybe a few... misunderstandings. ;-)

What's

important

to remember?

That

both

British English and American English are accepted on the examinations as

long as you

consistently use

either one or the other. In other words, don't mix!

BRITISH ENGLISH

Buildings in General

block of flats

first floor

flat

ground floor

lift

AMERIC

AN ENGLISH

Buildings in General

apart

m

ent building

second floor

apart

m

first floor

elevator

Household Furniture

cam

p bed

chest of drawers

cot

cupboard

curtains

dresser (for plates, dishes)

roller blind

standard lamp

In the Kitchen

baking tray

bread bin

clothes peg

cooker

cutlery

flex

hoover

(to hoover)

liquidizer / blender

napkin / serviette

tap

tea towel

tin opener

wash up

Household Furniture

cot

dresser

crib

closet

drapes

hutch

shade

floor lamp

In the Kitchen

cookie sheet

bread box

clothes pin

stove

silverware

electric cord

vacuum

cleaner

(to vacuum

)

blender

napkin

faucet

dish towel

can opener

do the dishes

washing up liquid

waste bin

worktop

Fruits and vegetables

aubergine

beetroot

spring onion

courgette

marrow

runner bean

Meat

minced m

eat

Snacks

biscuits

chips

crisps

sweets

sweetshop

Automobile / Car

accelerator

aerial

bonnet

boot

gear level

dish washing liquid

waste basket

counter

Fruits and vegetables

eggplant

beet

green onion

zucchini

squash

string bean

Meat

ground meat (hamburger)

Snacks

cookies

French fries

chips

candies

candy store

Automobile / Car

gas pedal

antenna

hood

trunk

gear shift

handbrake

indicator switch

mudguard

petrol cap

puncture

rear light

side- light

windscreen

wing

wing mirror

Motor Vehicles

coach

estate car

lorry

sallon

Near Roads

car park

crossroads

cycle path

diversion

flyover

lay by

middle lane

motorway

em

ergency break

turn signal / blinker

splash guard (mud flaps )

gas cap

blow-out (flat)

tail-light

parking-light

windshield

fender

rearview mirror

Motor Vehicles

bus

station wagon

truck

sedan

Near Roads

parking lot

intersection

bicycle route

detour

overpass

rest area

center lane

freeway / highway