American VS British English

What's the correct spelling in American English?

• color

• colour

Now, what is the typical British spelling?

• Meter

• Metre

Answer explanation

Other examples: litre (Br) vs. liter (Am), theatre (Br) vs. theater (Am), and centre (Br) vs. center (Am).

Which of these spellings is British?

• Program

• Programme

Answer explanation

British English has kept the historic spelling. American English has simplified it.

Which of these spellings is American?

• Dialogue

• Dialog

Answer explanation

Same as before, American English has simplified the spelling.

Which of these spellings is British?

• Encyclopaedia

• Encyclopedia

Answer explanation

Remember, British English has kept the historic spelling. That’s why it looks a bit like Latin, doesn’t it?

What is the correct American spelling of the past tense of “travel”?

• Traveled

• Travelled

Answer explanation

Similarly: Cancelled (Br) vs. canceled (Am) or counselled (Br) vs. counseled (Am).

Which of these is an acceptable spelling in British English?

• Licence

• License

Answer explanation

This is a tricky one! Another one like this is “offence” (Br) vs. “offense” (Am).

And how about this one? Which is an acceptable only in British spelling?

• Characterize

• Characterise

Answer explanation

British English allows you to use the suffix “-ize” but many similar words are often spelled with a final “-ise” in British English. (For instance, “memorise” or “recognise”.)

Who is likely to be talking here?

- Did you do your homework yet?
- Yes, I just finished it.

• Americans

• Brits

Answer explanation

The present perfect can be used in the same way in American English, but people often use the past simple when they consider the action finished. This is especially common with the adverbs already, just and yet.

OK, you probably see what’s happening here. Let’s take it a step further now!

In America, many people travel by...

• Aeroplane

• Airplane

Answer explanation

American English has, again, simplified the spelling to make it look a bit more “English”—since anyone knows how to spell “air”.