English is the first language of several countries. However, it has many differences. British, American, and South African English are all spoken differently. In many English language courses, the British and American differences are taught. There are important differences between the two.
Probably the biggest difference between American and British English is the vocabulary. Different words and expressions are used to talk about the same thing. For example, in the United States, people throw their garbage into the trash can. In England, people throw their rubbish into the dustbin. In Britain, people take a lift to the fifth floor. In America, people take an elevator.
American and British grammar can be also different. For example, speakers of British English will ask "What did you do at the weekend?", but Americans usually say "on the weekend." In the United States people usually say "I've gotten a new car.", but in the UK they will say "I've just got a new car."
The pronunciation in American and British English is also different, even when the spelling is the same. The word "tomato"—pronounced "to-mah-to" in British English—is a classic example of this.Vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation are three ways English is different in different parts of the world.
Learning all these is not easy, so English learners should just know that they are always there.
| Differences | ||
| Br E | Am E | |
| Vocabulary | ●Throw the rubbish into the dust-bin ●Take a to the fifth floor | ●Throw the garbage into the ●Take the elevator |
| Grammar | ●At the weekend ●I've just a new car. | ● the weekend ●I've gotten a new car. |
|
| Tomato—pronounced "to-mah-to" | |
