British and American English, what are the differences?

خالد الهبل · **مرسل:** الاثنين فبراير 09, 2009 1:51 am

[english][align=center]Hello everybody…
All of us know that there are various differences between British and American English… right?
But when we are being asked: What are these differences?
Not all of us can answer this question. So I thought about inserting such a topic to share you my little knowledge and get benefit of your participating. Anyway, this is my topic:
[align=center]British and American English[/align][/color]

American English differs from British English not only in pronunciation but also in vocabulary, spelling and grammar.
Pronunciation:-Stressed vowels are usually longer in American English. In packet, for example, the ( a ) is longer.
-In British English the consonant ( r ) is pronounced only before a vowel { for example in red and bedroom }. In American English the ( r ) is always pronounced.
-In American English the ( t ) between vowels is pronounced as a soft ( d ), so writer and rider sound similar. British English speakers usually pronounce the ( t ) as ( t )
Vocabulary:
The dictionary tells you which words are used only in American English or have different meanings in British and American English, for example: If you look the word ( cookie ) up, the dictionary will tell you that it is ( especially NAmE ).
*(NamE) means Native American English.
Spelling:
The dictionary shows different spellings in British and American English. The following differences are particularly common:
-In verbs which end in ( l ) and are not stressed on the final syllable, the ( l ) is not doubled in the ing form and the past participle: cancelling ;( NAmE canceling).
-Words which end in:( -tre ) are spelt ( -ter ) in American English.
( -our ) are usually spelt ( -or ) in American English.
( -ogue ) are usually spelt ( - og ) in American English.

Examples:
( centre; ( NAmE center ))
( colour; ( NAmE color ))
( dialogue; ( NAmE dialog)) .

Grammar:
ـPresent perfect / Simple past:
In American English the simple past can be used with already, just and yet. In British English the present perfect is used:
- I have already given her the present. (BrE)
- I already gave her the present. (NAmE)
- I've just seen her. (BrE)
- I just saw her. (NAmE)
- Have you heard the news yet? (BrE)
- Did you hear the news yet? (NAmE)
ـ Get / gotten:
In American English the past participle of get is gotten:
- Your English has got better. (BrE)
- Your English has gotten better. (NAmE)
ـ Shall:
Shall is not used instead of will in American English for the first person singular of the future:
- I shall / will be here tomorrow. (BrE)
- I will be here tomorrow. (NAmE)
Nor is it used in polite offers:
- Shall I open the window? (BrE)
- Should I open the window? (NAmE)
ـ Go / come:
In these expressions and is often omitted in American English:
- Go and take a look outside. (BrE)
- Go take a look outside. (NAmE)
ـ On the telephone:
- Hello, is that Tami? (BrE)
- Hello, is this Tami? (NAmE).[/english]

Raghad · **مرسل:** الثلاثاء فبراير 10, 2009 3:15 am

خالد الهبل,
Thanx for this useful topic

اقتباس:

In American English the simple past can be used with already, just and yet. In British English the present perfect is used:
- I have already given her the present. (BrE)
- I already gave her the present. (NAmE)

Many students are confused with this rule .. Whenever they see the words ''already, just, or yet'' , they use the present perfect and consider that using the simple past tense is wrong
Of course, the present perfect is more common for us but using the simple past with these words is not wrong

Thank you again for these pieces of information

A..R..W..A · **مرسل:** الأربعاء فبراير 11, 2009 1:42 am

Thank U Khaled . A nice topic

If U permit I want to add :

He has a car

BE: Has he a car?

? AM: Does he have a car

خالد الهبل · **مرسل:** الأربعاء فبراير 11, 2009 11:04 pm

Raghad,

اقتباس:

Thank you again for these pieces of information

thank you for your participating
ِِِِِِA..R..W..A,

اقتباس:

He has a car

BE: Has he a car?

? AM: Does he have a car

Arwa >
... this is right
I think most of us know these pieces of information
so thy don't participate.....

Tami · **مرسل:** الثلاثاء فبراير 17, 2009 1:52 am

خالد الهبل,
This topic is very important....God bless your efforts....[/b

]

خالد الهبل · **مرسل:** الثلاثاء فبراير 17, 2009 2:01 am

Thank you sister Tami for your participating
I think that it is very important but most of us as *students* do not realize this idea
thank you again . this is for you sister

Raghad · **مرسل:** الأربعاء فبراير 18, 2009 2:10 am

خالد الهبل,

اقتباس:

I think that it is very important but most of us as *students* do not realize this idea

Of course it is very important

It is fixed

Mazen Aloush · **مرسل:** الاثنين مارس 09, 2009 11:25 pm

خالد الهبل
thank u for this useful topic

خالد الهبل · **مرسل:** السبت مارس 14, 2009 2:08 am

Mazen Aloush,
Thanks are for your participation brother

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British and American English, what are the differences?

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