Table of Contents
Is it OK to mix American and British spelling?
No it isn’t – in most cases. If you’re taking a Cambridge exam, do not mix. While you can use a more British or a more American English in the exam and do well, mixing the two is frowned upon.
Is American or British English correct?
Of course, if you carry that theory back far enough, you might find yourself having to adopt German grammar and French vocabulary! British English is ‘correct’ where it is spoken, and American or Australian English is correct in those areas of the world.
Why do Americans and British use different words?
In the UK, the dictionary was compiled by London-based scholars. Meanwhile, in the United States, the lexicographer was a man named Noah Webster. Allegedly, he changed how the words were spelled to make the American version different from the British as a way of showing cultural independence from its mother country.
What words are different in American and British?
American and British Vocabulary and Word Choice
| American English | British English |
|---|---|
| suspenders | braces |
| janitor | caretaker |
| drug store | chemist’s |
| french fries | chips |
Can I use both American and British English?
Sure. For example, Canadian English has standard spellings that are derived from both British and American influences. Canadian spelling of the English language combines British and American conventions.
Is British original English?
British English (BrE) or UK English is the standard dialect of the English language as spoken and written in the United Kingdom. Variations exist in formal, written English in the United Kingdom.
Is American English a language?
American English (AmE) is the dialect of the English language used mostly in the United States of America. It is estimated that approximately two thirds of native speakers of English live in the United States. American English is also sometimes called United States English or U.S. English.
How can you tell between British and American English?
The main difference is that British English keeps the spelling of words it has absorbed from other languages, mainly French and German. Whilst American English spellings are based mostly on how the word sounds when it is spoken.
Is it bad to mix English and American English in exams?
It must be noted, to add to the other answers, that some official exams will penalise you for mixing. For example, Cambridge (British English) will probably tolerate American English if you are consistent, but certainly penalise you if you mix them.
Why are there so many spelling differences between American and British English?
One man is responsible for many of the spelling differences that exist between American and British English. His name was Noah Webster. Yes, the same Webster of Webster’s Dictionary. In the early nineteenth century, Webster saw the extra letters in British English words and decided that they were superfluous; he published a dictionary accordingly.
How do Americans and Brits communicate with each other in English?
Despite both groups’ accents and idiosyncratic expressions, Brits and Americans have little problem communicating with each other in English. If you visit London, you may be invited to afternoon tea.
What is the difference between American and British punctuation?
Americans, however, tend to be more liberal with it, while Brits use it only if a sentence would be unclear without it. There are even more differences in how American and Brits punctuate: Brits place commas and periods outside of quotation marks while Americans place them inside.