Ingles
Differences between the two include pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary (lexis), spelling, and punctuation, idioms, formatting of dates and numbers, and so on, although the differences in written and most spoken grammar structure tend to be much more minor than those of other aspects of the language. Some words that are quite innocent in one dialectmay be considered vulgar in the other.
Some words have totally different meanings between the two versions of English.
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. Canyou 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 andyet.
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 youhave 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 youhave, 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 of vocabulary. Some words mean different things in the two varieties forexample:
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 alsoused 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.
Prepositions
There arealso 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
Glossary
manin : morning
spar : friend
donsi : money
gwan : go on
yard : home
weed : marijuana (drug)Rasta : Rastafarian
The following is a list of common American English to British English translations:
American | British | Motor home | Caravan |
Argument | Row | Movie theater | Cinema |
Baby carriage | Pram | Muffler | Silencer |
Band-aid | Plaster | Napkin | Serviette |
Bathroom | Loo or WC | Nothing | Nought |
Can | Tin | Overpass | Flyover |
Chopped beef | Mince |...
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