American vs British English

English is spoken in many countries around the world, but it is not always the same everywhere. The two main varieties are American English and British English. Although speakers of both varieties can understand each other without much difficulty, there are some interesting differences in vocabulary, spelling and pronunciation.

One major area of difference is vocabulary. For example, what Americans call a — choose — sidewalk pavement road , the British call a pavement. When an American goes on — choose — holiday vacation trip , a British person goes on a holiday. These vocabulary differences developed because the two countries were separated by the Atlantic Ocean for hundreds of years.

Spelling is another area where the two varieties differ. The British prefer to write — choose — color colour coulor while Americans write color. Similarly, British people write centre, but Americans spell it — choose — center sentre centre . Many of these spelling differences go back to Noah Webster, who published an American dictionary in 1828 and simplified many British spellings.

Register — how formal or informal your language is — also plays a role. In formal writing, you should avoid — choose — long sentences contractions adjectives like don't or can't and use the full forms instead. In informal language, people often use — choose — phrasal verbs passive voice long words like find out instead of the more formal discover.

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