British and American English

1
British and American English

• Grammar
• Present simple tense
• Past simple tense instead of present tense
• Verb forms
• Suggest/insist/etc.
• Use of the
• Use of preposition, adverbs, etc.
• Vocabulary
• Spelling
• Correspondence
• Dates/Salutations/Closings

2
Grammar

• Have(present simple tense)

American British
Do you have the Redex file? Have you got the Redex file?
Yes, I have it right here. Yes, Ive got it right here.
No, I dont have it. No, I havent got it.
3
Grammar

• Past simple tense instead of present perfect
  tense

American British
I received your letter. I have received your letter.
Did you visit the factory? Have you visited the factory?
She already called. Shes already called.
They didnt arrive yet. They havent arrived yet.
Dave already spoke to me. Dave has already spoken to me.
4
Grammar

• Verb forms

American British
I havent gotten the conference room ready yet. I havent got the conference room ready yet.
Ive learned Thai. Ive learnt(or learned) Thai.
How is that word spelled? How is that word spelt(or spelled)?
Hes proven his point. Hes proved his point.
5
Grammar

• Suggest/insist/etc.

American British
I suggest he buy the TR-500. I suggest that she should buy the TR-500.
She insisted I go with her. She insisted that I should go with her.
It is important he be informed. It is important that he should be informed.
6
Grammar

• Use of the

American British
in/to the hospital in/to hospital
in/to the university in/to university
7
Grammar

• Use of prepositions, adverbs, etc.

American British
On weekends. At weekends.
Please fill out/in this form. Please fill in this form.
Did you check (out) their prices? Did you check their prices?
Ill meet (with)you later to discuss the project. Ill meet you later to discuss the project.
Do this report over/again. Do this report again.
Im through with the letter. Ive finished the letter.
8
Vocabulary
American British
Crazy Mad
Eraser Rubber
Flashlight Torch
Highway Main road
Intersection Crossroads
Mail Post
One-way ticket Single ticket
Pants Trousers
Purse or pocketbook Handbag
zipper zip
9
Spelling
American British
Analyze Analyse
Check Cheque
Curb Kerb
Jail Gaol or jail
Offense Offence
Program Programme (but computer program)
Specialty Speciality
leveling Levelling
Tire Tyre
10
Correspondence-Date

• American tend to put month first

American British
June 12, 1982 12 June 1982
6/12/92 12/6/92
11
Correspondence-Salutations

• Notice the differences below (especially in
  punctuation)

American British
Dear Sir/Madam Dear Sir(Madam)(,)
Dear Mrs. Brown Dear Mrs Brown(,)
Dear Kevin Dear Kevin(,)
12
Correspondence-Closings
American British
If the addressees name is not known If the addressees name is not known
Sincerely (yours), Yours faithfully,
If the addressees name is known (business style) If the addressees name is known (business style)
Sincerely (yours),regards, Yours sincerely,
If the addressees name is known (personal style) If the addressees name is known (personal style)
Best wishes, yours, Best regards, Yours,
13
Resource

• ??????????-???
• http//www.cybertranslator.idv.tw/confusables/conf
  usables.htm