7 British/American Spellings

Some British English and American English words have the
same meaning and pronunciation but different spellings.
Here are seven common groups. If you are not sure about a
spelling, it's best to look it up in a British or American
dictionary as appropriate.

1. ogue/og
BrE: analogue, catalogue, dialogue
AmE: analog, catalog, dialog

2. our/or
BrE: colour, favourite, honour
AmE: color, favorite, honor

3. ence/ense
BrE: defence, licence
AmE: defense, license

4. s/z
BrE: analyse, criticise, organisation (but z is also used)
AmE: analyze, criticize, organization

5. l/ll
BrE: enrolment, fulfil, skilful
AmE: enrollment, fulfill, skillful

6. re/er
BrE: centre, theatre, metre
AmE: center, theater, meter

7. miscellaneous
BrE: jewellery, programme, practise, pyjamas
AmE: jewelry, program, practice, pajamas

NB1: in BrE program is used when talking about computers
NB2: in BrE practise is a verb and practice is a noun

ESL Secrets

Secret #7: REVISE! REVISE! REVISE!

If you revise, you'll improve your learning by 100%.

What does "to revise" mean? It means "to read again".
You should be systematic about this. When you learn
something, you should note it. Then you should *look at
it again*, 3 times:
- after 1 day
- after 1 week
- after 1 month

Each time you revise, test yourself.

Learn, revise, test.
Revise, test.
Revise, test.

NOTE:
revise (BrE): read again to improve one's knowledge
revise (BrE & AmE): read and correct; update

Differences between British English & American words

At School

British English	American English
Friend / Mate	Friend
Rubber	Eraser
Maths	Math
Public School	Private School
State School	Public School
Holiday	Vacation
Packed lunch	Sack lunch/bag lunch
School dinner	Hot Lunch
Staff Room	Teachers Lounge
Plimsolls	Gym Shoes
"Mucking Around" / Off Task	Off Task / Fooling Around / "Goofing Off"
Play Time / Break Time	Recess
Open Day / Open Evening	Open House
Marking Scheme	Grading Scheme
Drawing pins	pushpins or thumbtacks
Headmaster/mistress Headteacher	Principal
Caretaker/porter	Janitor

 

Differences between British English & American words

On the Road

 

British English	American English
Dual carriageway	Divided highway
Sleeping Policeman / speed bump	Speed bump
Car park	Parking Lot
Car Journey / drive	Road Trip
Zebra Crossing / Pedestrian Crossing	Cross Walk
Lollipop Man or Lady	Crossing Guard
Motorway	Freeway/throughway
Motorway	Super highway
Traffic Jam / Tailback	Traffic Jam
Lorry	Truck
Articulated Lorry	Tractor Trailer / Trailer Truck
Estate car	Station wagon
Petrol	Gas / Gasoline
Pavement	Sidewalk
Petrol Station	Gas Station
Skip	Dumpster
Diversion	Detour
Lay-by	Pull-off
Cul-de-sac	Dead end
Roundabout (road)	Traffic circle
Fly-over	Overpass
Fire Engine	Fire Truck
Phone Box	Telephone Booth
Overtake (vehicle)	Pass
Convoy	Caravan
Caravan	Trailer

 

Differences between British English & American words

Clothes

British English	American English
Trousers	Pants
Pants / Underwear / Knickers	Underwear / panties
briefs/underpants	shorts/jockey shorts
Jumper / Pullover / Sweater / Jersey	Sweater
Pinafore Dress	Jumper
Vest	Undershirt
Waistcoat	Vest
Wellington Boots / Wellies	Galoshes
Mac (slang for Macintosh)	Rain Coat
Plimsolls	Gym Shoes
Trainers	Sneakers
Braces	Suspenders
Suspenders	Holds up stockings
Dressing Gown	Robe
Nappy	Diaper
Pinny / Apron	Apron
Polo Neck	Turtle Neck
Dressing Gown	Bath Robe
Swimming costume / Cozzy	Bathing Suit
Dungarees	Overalls
dressing-gown	bathrobe
bootlace/shoelace	shoestring
bowler/hard hat	derby