English Grammar
UK - US DIFFERENCES - page 2
Differences in British and American spelling and vocabulary, page 2.
| BRITAIN (UK) |
AMERICA (US) |
| VERBS: In Britain some verbs end in either -ize or -ise. Both are used. In America, they always end in -ize. Here are some examples : UK : analyse, apologise, organise, realise. US : analyze, apologize, organize, realize. |
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| Regular - Irregular forms of verbs: Some verbs have alternative regular and irregular past tense and past participle forms, for example: dream - dreamed or dreamt. In Britain, the irregular form is more often used, whereas in the USA, there is a preference for the regular form. Here are some of those verbs: |
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| burn | burned / burnt |
| dream | dreamed / dreamt |
| learn | learned / learnt |
| spell | spelled / spelt |
| spoil | spoiled / spoilt |
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The pronoun 'one' Americans do not often use 'one' to mean 'people in general', nor do they use 'one's' or 'oneself'. UK: One should look after one's health. US : You should look after your health. / People should look after their health. |
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| Dates: There are differences in the way dates are said and written. UK : 4th July - the fourth of July US : July 4 - July four - July fourth |
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| Numbers: The British use 'and' between hundred and the rest of the number. The Americans do not. |
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