Differences between British and American English

-re / er

Words that end in -re in British English usually end -er in American English:

British: centre
American: center

-our / -or

Words that end in -our in British English often end in -or in American English:

British: colour
American: color

-ise / -ize

-ise verbs are always spelled with -ize in American English:

British: organise
American: organize

-yse / -yze

-yse verbs are always spelled -yze in American English:

British: analyse
American: analyze

ll / l

In British English, the l is doubled for verbs ending in a vowel plus l. In American English, the l is not doubled:

British: travelled
American: traveled

-ence / -ense

-ence nouns in British English are spelled -ense in American English:

British: defence
American: defense

British v American English: 10 Words

Now choose if these sentences are British or American English:

• 1) There's a new shoe store on the corner of my street.
  
  American
  British
  
  
• 2) I would recognise you anywhere.
  
  British
  American
  
  
• 3) You need a license to fish here.
  
  American
  British
  
  
• 4) My car is almost out of gas.
  
  British
  American
  
  
• 5) Tomorrow's meeting has been cancelled.
  
  British
  American
  
  
• 6) We're going to the movies this weekend.
  
  British
  American
  
  
• 7) Are you planning to take a holiday this year?
  
  British
  American
  
  
• 8) It's lemon flavour.
  
  American
  British
  
  
• 9) Let's finalize the proposal.
  
  British
  American
  
  
• 10) We're not supposed to cycle on the sidewalk.
  
  American
  British