Despite being the same language, British and American English have a whole slew of differences. Not only do the two have different pronunciations and different vocabulary , but the written language features spelling differences, too!
These distinctions are mainly a result of historical and cultural development over time. While English as a whole is greatly influenced by Latin, the British English spelling of words reflects these origins while in America, many words were simplified in order to minimize redundancies and produce a more intuitive, pronunciation-based spelling system.
If you’re listening to speakers from both sides, you won’t notice these spelling differences because the grammar is the same. But when you read, the differences begin to appear.
While these spelling rules might not be the end of the world in casual texts among friends, misspelling a word in more formal settings like workplace reports, academic essays, or business emails can negatively impact your professionalism.
Interestingly, other English-speaking regions like Australia, Canada, and New Zealand borrow spelling rules from both British and American spelling systems, creating a nuanced mix of the two formats.
While these technicalities can be particularly difficult to wrap your head around, don't worry—today's focus lies on the 15 crucial spelling British vs. American differences:
1. -our vs. -or One of the most notable spelling distinctions between British and American English is in the use of “-our” and “-or” endings.
Both spellings sound the same, as a subtly blended vowel that is voiced as /ɔr/ or /ɔːr/ . In British English, words like "colour" retain the letter "u," while American English simplifies it to "color."
This rule, like some others mentioned here, may be tied to efforts made by lexicographer Noah Webster (of Webster's Dictionary ) in the language reforms made in the early 1800s. These reforms aimed to simplify American spelling by reducing redundant or unnecessary letters in words.
Some common words that adopt this rule include:
There are, however, exceptions where certain words, such as "glamour" and "contour," which retain the "u" in both dialects.
2. -re vs. -er British English words that end in "-re" often end in "-er" in American English. This can be confusing for non-native speakers, as they never know whether to write “meter” or “metre.”
British English uses "metre," retaining the original French spelling. On the other hand, Americans adopt "meter" to more closely match the word's pronunciation in American English.
As is expected, there are exceptions where words end with "-re" in both British and American English. You’ll find this exception in words like "acre," "cadre," and "genre."
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3. -ise vs. -ize Another common, yet subtle spelling difference is the use of “-ise” in British English and “-ize” in American English spelling.
“-ize” is the preferred American spelling, whereas British English generally favors "-ise" endings.
Despite the difference in spelling, both forms are pronounced with a /z/ sound, not an /s/ sound . For example, “realise” and “realize” are both pronounced /ˈriːəlaɪz/.
Some other words with this variation include:
4. -mme vs. -m The "-m" vs. "-mme" difference, like program (US) vs. programme (UK), is a rare quirk, and programme is one of the few remaining examples in British English that uses the "-mme" ending.
Historically, British English had a handful of words like this, but they’ve mostly faded out or evolved toward simpler forms.
Today, British spelling uses "programme" only when referring to TV shows, events, or plans. However, both British and American English use "program" when referring to computer software.
So, while "-m" vs. "-mme" doesn’t appear much in other words today, it’s a lingering sign of the language's tendency for divergence and simplification over time, especially under American influence.
5. -gue vs. -g The "-g" vs. "-gue" difference crops up in a few words, where American English often drops the silent "u" and shortens the ending.
Here are some examples:
While British English retains the "-gue" for a more traditional appearance, American English simplifies to "-g" in most contexts, especially in scientific, technical, and general writing. However, both varieties agree on keeping "-gue" endings in words like plague and league, where the "u" affects pronunciation.
You may find certain word exceptions like “rogue,” “tongue,” “synagogue,” and “ideologue” that retain the “-ogue” spelling in both British and American English.
6. Double vs. Single L The doubling of the consonant L within words is more common in British English, where traditional spelling conventions are often preserved.
Here are some examples:
In British English, the final consonant is doubled when adding endings like "-ed" or "-ing" to verbs and when forming adjectives from certain nouns, especially if the word has a single stressed syllable (like travel or label). American English often drops the second consonant, reflecting a trend toward streamlined spelling.
However, there are also reverse instances where American English doubles consonants in words like “fulfillment” and “enroll,” while British English spells them as “fulfilment” and “enrol.
7. -t vs. -ed In both spelling and pronunciation , the past tense of verbs like "burn" and "learn" varies between British and American English.
In the UK, people often prefer a simple -t ending, whereas American spellings favor the "-ed" ending. The British "-t" ending offers a crisp, clipped sound, while the American "-ed" adds a subtle emphasis on the past tense.
Notice as well that in words with a double L such as "spell" and "smell," the British past tense drops one of the Ls while the American version retains both.
8. -ce vs. -se This rule is a bit more complicated.
The rule primarily affects British English nouns, which tend to use "-ce," while verbs use "-se." In American English, this distinction is mostly eliminated, with "-se" being preferred for simplicity, except in words like "practice," where only "-ce" is used.
In British and American English, nouns and verbs can differ in spelling, especially with endings like "-ce" and "-se." Here’s a breakdown of the nuances:
Practice/Practise
In British English, "practice" (noun) and "practise" (verb) have distinct spellings. For instance, "Her piano practice went well" (noun), versus "She will practise tomorrow" (verb).
In American English, both the noun and verb forms are spelled "practice." For instance, "She needs more practice" (noun) and "She will practice tomorrow" (verb).
Licence/License
British English uses "licence" as the noun, while "license" is the verb, as in "He has a driving licence" (noun) vs. "He is licensed to drive" (verb).
In American English, only license is used for both the noun and the verb: "He has a driver’s license" (noun) and "He is licensed to drive" (verb).
Defense/Defence and Offense/Offence
British English uses "defence" and "offence" strictly as nouns, while "defense" and "offense" appear as verbs less frequently.
American English uses "defense" and "offense" for both nouns and verbs, avoiding the "-ce" form entirely.
Note: in both American and British English, “advice” is used as a noun and “advise” as a verb. This is an exception.
9. “oe” vs. “e” In British English, certain words keep an "o" in spellings that American English simplifies by dropping this letter, regardless of whether the "o" appears at the beginning or within the word.
This retention of the "o" often reflects the word's classical Latin or Greek origins, while American English favors a streamlined version.
Examples include:
In these words, British English retains the "o," preserving its traditional form, while American English removes it to simplify spelling.
10. “ae” vs. “e” In American English, the "ae" combination in many words is replaced by a simple "e," creating a more streamlined spelling.
British English, however, retains the "ae," preserving the words' more traditional appearance.
For instance:
This preference for "ae" in British English reflects a classical influence, while American English simplifies these words with just an "e."
Still, not every "ae" word is changed in American English. For instance, "archaeology" retains this spelling in both dialects.
11. -yse vs. -yze In American English, words ending in "-yse" are typically simplified to "-yze," while British English retains the "-yse" ending, aligning with traditional spelling conventions rooted in Greek.
Examples include:
The "-yse" ending in British English maintains a classical touch, while American English opts for the simplified "-yze," making the words easier to spell and pronounce.
Both the British "-yse" and American "-yze" are pronounced the same, with a /z/ sound.
12. Missing “e” In American English, the silent “e” in the middle of some words is often dropped to simplify spelling, while British English typically retains it.
13. Compounds and Hyphens Besides typical spelling variations, British and American English sometimes differ simply in the use of hyphens.
British English often uses hyphens to separate parts of compound words, adding clarity, while American English tends to omit them, streamlining the terms.
Boost Your American English with BoldVoice While British and American spelling differences might seem minor, they’re essential for clear communication, especially if you’re writing for an American audience.
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