American English

British English

antenna

aerial

mad

angry

anyplace

anywhere

fall

autumn

bill

bank note

attorney

barrister, solicitor

cookie

biscuit

hood

bonnet

trunk

boot

suspenders

braces

janitor

caretaker

drug store

chemist's

french fries

chips

the movies

the cinema

rubber

condom

patrolman

constable

stove

cooker

wheat

corn, wheat

crib

cot

thread

cotton

wreck

crash

intersection

crossroads

drapes

curtains

checkers

draughts

thumbtack

drawing-pin

divided highway

dual carriageway

pacifier

dummy

trashcan

dust-bin, rubbish-bin

garbage can

dustbin, rubbish-bin

garbage collector

dustman

generator

dynamo

motor

engine

engineer

engine driver

movie

film

apartment

flat

overpass

flyover

yard

garden

gear-lshift

gear-lever

alumnus

graduate

boiler

grill

first floor

ground floor

rubbers

gumshoes, wellington boots

sneakers

gymshoes, tennis-shoes

purse

handbag

billboard

hoarding

vacation

holiday

vacuum cleaner

hoover

sick

ill

intermission

interval

sweater

jersey, jumper, pullover, sweater

pitcher

jug

elevator

lift

truck

lorry

baggage

luggage

raincoat

mackintosch, raincoat

crazy

mad

highway

main road

corn

maize

math

maths

stingy

mean

freeway

motorway

diaper

nappy

vicious, mean

nasty

noplace

nowhere

private hospital

nursing home

optometrist

oculltist, optician

liquor store

off-license

kerosene

paraffin

sidewalk

pavement

peek

peep

gasoline

petrol

mail

post

mailbox

postbox

mailman, mail carrier

postman

potato chips

potato crisps

baby carriage

pram

bar

pub

rest room

public toilet

blow-out

puncture

stroller

push-chair

line

queue

railroad

railway

railway car

railway carriage

spool of thread

reel of cotton

round trip

return (ticket)

call collect

reverse charges

raise

rise (in salary)

pavement

road surface

traffic circle

roudabout

eraser

rubber

garbage, trash

rubbish

sedan

saloon (car)

Scotch tape

sellotape

store

shop

muffler

silencer

one-way

single (ticket)

someplace

somewhere

wrench

spanner

faculty

staff (of a university)

oil-pan

sump

dessert

sweet

candy

sweets

faucet

tap

spigot

tap (outdoors)

cab

taxi

dish-towel

tea-towel

semester

term

panti-hose

tights

schedule

timetable

can

tin

turnpike

toll motorway

flashlight

torch

hobo

tramp

pants

trousers

cuffs

turn-ups

subway

underground railway

shorts

underpants

shoulder (of road)

verge (of road)

vest

waistcoat

closet

wardrobe

wash up

wash your hands

windshield

windscreen

fender

wing

zipper

zip

American to British English Quiz

Replace the American English word in italics with a British English word.
1.
I'd like to hang the drapes tonight. Do you have time?
2.
We took the elevator to the 10th floor.
3.
Would you like to see a movie tonight?
4.
Have you seen Tim's new apartment yet? It's very nice.
5.
Run down to the drug store and buy some aspirin please.
6.
Let's go to the bar and get a drink.
7.
I'll take the garbage out before I leave tomorrow morning.
8.
Take the second exit at the traffic circle.
9.
Let's get have some potato chips with lunch.
10.
Could you hand me the flashlight so I can take a look in the closet?
Answers
1.
curtains
2.
lift
3.
film
4.
flat
5.
chemist's
6.
pub
7.
rubbish
8.
roundabout
9.
crisps
10.
torch
British to American English Quiz
Replace the British word in italics with an American English word.
1.
We need to find a public toilet soon.
2.
Let's get the pram and take a walk with Jennifer.
3.
I'm afraid I had a puncture and had to get it fixed.
4.
Could you bring in that tin of tuna over there?
5.
He puts his trousers on like any other person.
6.
She's very mean with her money. Don't ask her for any help.
7.
I generally don't wear a suit with a waistcoat.
8.
We should ask a constable for help.
9.
Let's go to the off-license and get some whiskey.
10.
Get on queue and I'll get us something to eat.
Answers
1.
rest room
2.
baby carriage
3.
blow-out
4.
can
5.
pants
6.
stingy
7.
vest

8.
9.
10.

patrolman
liquor store
line

This quiz is for in-class use and does not have the answers provided. Take the interactive version of
the Differences between British and American Quiz for correct answers and results.
Choose whether the noted spelling, vocabulary word or phrase, or grammar is British English,
American English. In some cases, the spelling, vocabulary word or phrase or grammar can be used in
both British and American English. Each question has only one correct answer.
Visit http://esl.about.com for more practice quizzes, as well as study sheets and information on
grammar, vocabulary, listening, reading and writing.
Vocabulary 'vacation' - We went on a two week vacation last month.
British
American
Vocabulary 'eraser' - Could you pass me an eraser? I need to erase this mistake.
British
American
Vocabulary 'rubbish' - Why is there so much rubbish in here?
British
American
Vocabulary 'rest room' - Excuse me, where is the rest room?
British
American
Vocabulary 'mean' - She gave him a kiss for his birthday.
She's rather mean!
British
American
Spelling 'programme' - Did you see that new programme last night?
British
American
Expression with preposition 'plays in' - He plays in a team in town.
British
American
Both
Vocabulary 'torch' - The lights have gone out. Where is the torch?
British
American
Vocabulary 'dialling code' - What's the dialling code for this town?
British
American
Vocabulary 'trunk' - Put your luggage in the trunk.
British
American
Grammar 'that it be done' - It's very important that it be done.
British
American
Both
Grammar 'real strange' - He looked at me real strange.
British
American

Both
Vocabulary 'public toilet' - Excuse me, where is the public toilet?
British
American
Grammar 'seven hundred and thirty' - eight thousand seven hundred and thirty
British
American
Both
Vocabulary 'nappy' - Honey, can you change the baby's nappy?
British
American
Vocabulary 'garbage' - Why is there so much garbage in here?
British
American
Vocabulary 'area code' - What's the area code for this town?
British
American
Spelling 'center' - It's in the town center.
British
American
Expression with preposition 'live on' - I live on Washington street.
British
American
Vocabulary 'crossroads' - Take a left at the second crossroads.
British
American
Vocabulary 'apartment' - I'm staying in an apartment in the city.
British
American
Both
Expression with preposition 'do over' - Can I do that over?
British
American
Both
Vocabulary 'check' - (in a restaurant) Can I have the check?
British
American
Both
Word order 'has probably arrived' - He has probably arrived by now.
British
American
Both
Vocabulary 'attorney' - I called the attorney to get the information.
British
American
Vocabulary 'two weeks' - We'll be away for a two weeks.
British
American
Both
Vocabulary 'stand in line' - We had to stand in line for three hours to get into the concert.
British
American

Vocabulary 'intersection' - Take a left at the second intersection.

British
American
Grammar 'this' - (on the telephone) Hello, is this Peter?
British
American
Both
Spelling 'program' - Did you see that new program last night?
British
American
Spelling 'airplane' - He took an airplane to Paris.
British
American
Vocabulary 'queue' - We had to queue for three hours to get into the concert.
British
American
Vocabulary 'stingy' - She gave him a kiss for his birthday. She's rather stingy!
British
American
Spelling 'aeroplane' - He took an aeroplane to Paris.
British
American
Vocabulary 'chips' - I'm hungry. Let's stop and get a bag of chips at the supermarket.
British
American
Grammar 'committee meets' - The committee meets tomorrow.
British
American
Both
Vocabulary 'fortnight' - We'll be away for a fortnight.
British
American
Both
Expression with preposition 'live in' - I live in Washington street.
British
American
Both
Vocabulary 'call collect' - (on the telephone) I'd like to call collect.
British
American
Grammar 'has just gone' - He's just gone home.
British
American
Both
Vocabulary 'diaper' - Honey, can you change the baby's diaper?
British
American

While there are certainly many more varieties of English, American English and British English are the
two varieties that are taught in most ESL/EFL programs. Generally, it is agreed that no one version is
"correct" however, there are certainly preferences in use. The three major differences between
between American and British English are:
Pronunciation - differences in both vowel and consonants, as well as stress and intonation
Vocabulary - differences in nouns and verbs, especially phrasal verb usage
Spelling - differences are generally found in certain prefix and suffix forms
The most important rule of thumb is to try to be consistent in your usage. If you decide that you want
to use American English spellings then be consistent in your spelling (i.e. The color of the orange is
also its flavour - color is American spelling and flavour is British), this is of course not always easy - or
possible. The following guide is meant to point out the principal differences between these two
varieties of English.
Use of the Present Perfect
In British English the present perfect is used to express an action that has occurred in the recent past
that has an effect on the present moment. For example:
I've lost my key. Can you help me look for it?
In American English the following is also possible:
I lost my key. Can you help me look for it?
In British English the above would be considered incorrect. However, both forms are generally
accepted in standard American English. Other differences involving the use of the present perfect in
British English and simple past in American English include already, just and yet.
British English:
I've just had lunch
I've already seen that film
Have you finished your homework yet?
American English:
I just had lunch OR I've just had lunch
I've already seen that film OR I already saw that film.
Have your finished your homework yet? OR Did you finish your homework yet?
Possession
There are two forms to express possession in English. Have or Have got
Do you have a car?
Have you got a car?
He hasn't got any friends.
He doesn't have any friends.
She has a beautiful new home.
She's got a beautiful new home.
While both forms are correct (and accepted in both British and American English), have got (have you
got, he hasn't got, etc.) is generally the preferred form in British English while most speakers of
American English employ the have (do you have, he doesn't have etc.)
The Verb Get
The past participle of the verb get is gotten in American English. Example He's gotten much better at
playing tennis. British English - He's got much better at playing tennis.
Vocabulary
Probably the major differences between British and American English lies in the choice ofvocabulary.
Some words mean different things in the two varieties for example:
Mean: (American English - angry, bad humored, British English - not generous, tight fisted)
Rubber: (American English - condom, British English - tool used to erase pencil markings)
There are many more examples (too many for me to list here). If there is a difference in usage, your
dictionary will note the different meanings in its definition of the term. Many vocabulary items are also
used in one form and not in the other. One of the best examples of this is the terminology used for
automobiles.

American English - hood

British English - bonnet
American English - trunk
British English - boot
American English - truck
British English - lorry
Once again, your dictionary should list whether the term is used in British English or American
English.
For a more complete list of the vocabulary differences between British and American English use
this British vs. American English vocabulary tool.
Prepositions
There are also a few differences in preposition use including the following:
American English - on the weekend
British English - at the weekend
American English - on a team
British English - in a team
American English - please write me soon
British English - please write to me soon
Past Simple/Past Participles
The following verbs have two acceptable forms of the past simple/past participle in both American
and British English, however, the irregular form is generally more common in British English (the first
form of the two) and the regular form is more common to American English.
Burn
Burnt OR burned
Dream
dreamt OR dreamed
Lean
leant OR leaned
Learn
learnt OR learned
Smell
smelt OR smelled
Spell
spelt OR spelled
Spill
spilt OR spilled
Spoil
spoilt OR spoiled
Spelling
Here are some general differences between British and American spellings:
Words ending in -or (American) -our (British) color, colour, humor, humour, flavor, flavour etc.
Words ending in -ize (American) -ise (British) recognize, recognise, patronize, patronise etc.
The best way to make sure that you are being consistent in your spelling is to use the spell check on
your word processor (if you are using the computer of course) and choose which variety of English
you would like. As you can see, there are really very few differences between standard British
English and standard American English. However, the largest difference is probably that of the choice
of vocabulary and pronunciation.
Related

Differences Between British and American Spelling

11 ESL Resources to Learn Vocabulary

Differences between British and American English - Quiz 1
Standard British English
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This quiz is for in-class use and does not have the answers provided. Take the interactive version of
the Differences between British and American Quiz for correct answers and results.
Choose whether the noted spelling, vocabulary word or phrase, or grammar is British English,
American English. In some cases, the spelling, vocabulary word or phrase or grammar can be used in
both British and American English. Each question has only one correct answer.
Visit http://esl.about.com for more practice quizzes, as well as study sheets and information on
grammar, vocabulary, listening, reading and writing.
Vocabulary 'vacation' - We went on a two week vacation last month.
British
American
Vocabulary 'eraser' - Could you pass me an eraser? I need to erase this mistake.
British
American
Vocabulary 'rubbish' - Why is there so much rubbish in here?
British
American
Vocabulary 'rest room' - Excuse me, where is the rest room?
British
American
Vocabulary 'mean' - She gave him a kiss for his birthday.
Learn ESL: Vocabulary Differences In British And American English
She's rather mean!
British
American
Spelling 'programme' - Did you see that new programme last night?
British

American
Expression with preposition 'plays in' - He plays in a team in town.
British
American
Both
Vocabulary 'torch' - The lights have gone out. Where is the torch?
British
American
Vocabulary 'dialling code' - What's the dialling code for this town?
British
American
Vocabulary 'trunk' - Put your luggage in the trunk.
British
American
Grammar 'that it be done' - It's very important that it be done.
British
American
Both
Grammar 'real strange' - He looked at me real strange.
British
American
Both
Vocabulary 'public toilet' - Excuse me, where is the public toilet?
British
American
Grammar 'seven hundred and thirty' - eight thousand seven hundred and thirty
British
American
Both
Vocabulary 'nappy' - Honey, can you change the baby's nappy?
British
American
Vocabulary 'garbage' - Why is there so much garbage in here?
British
American
Vocabulary 'area code' - What's the area code for this town?
British
American
Spelling 'center' - It's in the town center.
British
American
Expression with preposition 'live on' - I live on Washington street.
British
American
Vocabulary 'crossroads' - Take a left at the second crossroads.
British
American
Vocabulary 'apartment' - I'm staying in an apartment in the city.
British
American
Both
Expression with preposition 'do over' - Can I do that over?

British
American
Both
Vocabulary 'check' - (in a restaurant) Can I have the check?
British
American
Both
Word order 'has probably arrived' - He has probably arrived by now.
British
American
Both
Vocabulary 'attorney' - I called the attorney to get the information.
British
American
Vocabulary 'two weeks' - We'll be away for a two weeks.
British
American
Both
Vocabulary 'stand in line' - We had to stand in line for three hours to get into the concert.
British
American
Vocabulary 'intersection' - Take a left at the second intersection.
British
American
Grammar 'this' - (on the telephone) Hello, is this Peter?
British
American
Both
Spelling 'program' - Did you see that new program last night?
British
American
Spelling 'airplane' - He took an airplane to Paris.
British
American
Vocabulary 'queue' - We had to queue for three hours to get into the concert.
British
American
Vocabulary 'stingy' - She gave him a kiss for his birthday. She's rather stingy!
British
American
Spelling 'aeroplane' - He took an aeroplane to Paris.
British
American
Vocabulary 'chips' - I'm hungry. Let's stop and get a bag of chips at the supermarket.
British
American
Grammar 'committee meets' - The committee meets tomorrow.
British
American
Both
Vocabulary 'fortnight' - We'll be away for a fortnight.
British

American
Both
Expression with preposition 'live in' - I live in Washington street.
British
American
Both
Vocabulary 'call collect' - (on the telephone) I'd like to call collect.
British
American
Grammar 'has just gone' - He's just gone home.
British
American
Both
Vocabulary 'diaper' - Honey, can you change the baby's diaper?
British
American

It's important to learn and use idioms and expressions in context. Of course, idioms are not always
easy to understand. There are idiom and expression resources that can help with definitions, but
reading them in short stories can also provide context that make them come more alive. Try reading
the story one time to understand the gist without using the idiom definitions. On your second reading,
use the definitions to help you understand the text while learning new idioms. After you understand
the story, take the quiz at the end of each reading to test your knowledge. Teachers can print out
these short stories and use in class in combination with teaching ideas provided at the end of this
resource list.
Idioms and Expressions in Context Stories
Party Animal
Three friends meet up after not having seen each other for a long time. It's time for a party!
John's Keys to Success
A story about a man was an accomplished businessman and happily gives advice to young people he
mentors.
An Unpleasant Colleague
A story about a man who took himself a little too seriously and, as a result, was quite unpopular with
his colleagues.
Odd Man Out
A story about a man who gossiped a little too much at parties making him the "odd man out" anytime
he joined the fun.
Life of the Party
Bill was known as the life of the party for a good reason. Learn why he was asked to everyone's party.
The Economy is Tough
Idioms appropriate for talking about the economy when it's having difficulties. This story makes good
discussion material in business English classes.
The Inventor's Lesson
A story about a friend who invented a gadget that made him a millionaire. It's the perfect story for
engineers and those involved in business.
Young and Free
A short story about an what it takes to be successful in a small company. It's good preparation for
young adult English learners who are college age.

Advice from a Content Grandfather

Grandfather has some wise advice about how to lead a happy life. This is a good story for classes
with older adult learners.
A Very Difficult Boss
Here is a story about a boss who makes the life of his employees difficult. This is a great story for
classes that include lots of young professionals. They can complain and not get in trouble!
My Successful Friend
Here is a story about a man's friend who has had a very successful career.
Missed Chance of a Lifetime My uncle made a huge mistake because of his big mouth. Learn more.
A Night on the Town
Here is a story about a friend who had a night on the town with his friend. Unfortunately, they overdid
it and would up feeling pretty bad the next morning.
Wise Guy
This wise guy bothered everyone at the party.
The Road to Success
Here is a short essay on how to succeed in today's difficult economic environment. It makes good
reading for business English classes.
My Cousin Crazy Eddy
Crazy Eddy a businessperson with some success, who also knows how to defend himself and is not
afraid of authority.
Will You Marry Me?
A story about a man who's soon going to ask his loved one to marry him. It's great for anyone who
likes romance.
Licensing a Car
A man recounts the difficulties he had when licensing his car. This story includes many idioms used
when speaking about dealing with agencies.
For teachers:
Use these idioms in context stories with your advanced level classes to provide context for learning
common idioms in English. Each short story of two to three paragraphs provides approximately 15
idioms. These idioms are then defined following the story followed by a short quiz testing a number of
idioms from the selection. Following this introduction to the idioms in context you can practice use of
the idioms in a number of ways. Here are a few ideas:
Ask students to write their own short stories using the idioms in context.
Have students write dialogues using the idioms to act out in class.
Group students together to create their own gap fill quizzes for other groups.
Write up questions using the idioms presented and discuss as a class or in groups.
Make up situations that fit each idiom on-the-fly and ask students to choose the idiom that fits
best.