Which version of English are you learning, American or British English?

Since most movies and TV shows are American, people have more exposure to the American language than to its British counterpart. Some people wonder whether they should learn the British or the American English. You might already know that sometimes each has its own distinct words, while of course, they also have common words used in both varieties of English.

To see major differences in vocabulary, click here.

Click here for differences in spelling.

But these lists are about vocabulary, which is important. If you use a British word in America, you probably won't be understood, or even if you're understood it would sound weird. That's why it might be a good idea to know the difference in vocabulary. But there's also a difference in accent (= way of pronouncing words) & grammar (how words are arranged). A few words from a British person can readily give away that he's British. The same goes for an American person. Let's see the characteristics of the American accent;

1. The letter 'o' in the middle of words is not pronounced 'o', but a short 'a' sound. As in 'god', 'company', 'dog' etc.


2. The letter ’t’ in the middle of words is not pronounced ’t’, but a light 'd' sound. E.g. butter, waiter, matter, etc.


3. The letter 'R' is pronounced even if followed by a consonant. (Unlike the British who wouldn't pronounce them unless the 'r' is followed by a vowel)
-Harvest      -border

'R' is also pronounced even if it's at the end of the word; (again, the British wouldn't pronounce it.).

- Father    - mother    -sister     -matter
- border   

(note how they will both pronounce it in words like;
-miracle   -borrow     

 note also how in words that have both an 'r' & a 't', the difference will become clearer;
-Letter     -matter     -bitter      -litter

There are also differences in grammar:
4. In American speech, the past simple can be used instead of the present perfect for an action that happened in the past with a result now: (In British English, only the present perfect can be used.);

Am:
-I lost my key. did you see it? Or (I've lost my key. Have you seen it?)
Br:
-I've lost my key. have you seen it?

5.In informal situations, questions can be made without rearranging the sentence structure; just by adding a question mark:

-You look good in that suit.
- I do?   (British: Do I?)
A: They have already left.
B: They have?     (British: Have they?)


6. In informal speech, the auxiliary verb can be omitted in questions;
- you want to go? ( (do) you want to go?).
- you seen my wallet? ( "have" you seen...).
- ever wondered how it's like to live in China?
("have" you ever wondered.....).


7. The present perfect OR the past simple can be used with "Just", "already" & "yet" (In British English, only the present perfect can be used.);
Am:
- I'm not hungry. I just had lunch. (I'm not hungry. I have just had lunch.).
Br:
- I'm not hungry. I've just had lunch.


8. Several expression are used with “take” in American English while they are used with “have” in British English. Examples:
- Am:  I need to take a shower.
I need to have a shower.


 9. In British English, the verb “to need” can be used as a modal verb. In American English this is not common:
- Br:   You needn’t go now.
- Am:  You don’t need to go now.
- Br:   You needn’t think too much about it.
- Am:  You don’t need to think too much about it.

10. Sometimes, prepositions used can be different:
- Am:
The store is open Monday through Friday.
- Br:  
The shop is open from Monday to Friday.

     
           So, that's it! .....Have you figured out what version of English are you learning/ speaking yet?
If so, tell us about it in the comments. Share the article if you liked it & till next time, Ciao!