British v/s American English

[Durrani Abid]

It is observed that some of the fellows on the forum face confusion while differenciating between the English of the UK and that of the US.
This post is intended to underline the fine differences in spelling and vocabulary.

•British English-our:colour,favourite,flavour,humour,mouldy,saviour
•American English-or:color,favorite,flavor,humor,moldy,savior

note:* Savior and savor may be spelt with u in American English.
*Glamour is correct spelling in both Brotish and American English.

British English-re:centre,millimetre,theatre.
American English-er:centre,millimeter,theater.

note:*When the -re is preceded by the letter c in British English,American English also has -cre: acre,massacre,medicore.

•British English-ae-,-oe-:amoeba,anaemia,archaeology,diarrhoea,haemoglobin.
•American English-e-:ameba,anemia,archeology,diarrhea,hemoglobin.

•British English-ise,-izeiticise or criticize,modernise or modernize
•Amercan English:-izeiticize,modernize.

note:*analyse and paralyse in BE but analyze and paralyze in AE.

•British English-ll-,pp-,tt-: cancelled,woollen,kidnapped,worshipped,carburettor
•American English:- l-,-p-,-t-:canceled,woolen,kidnaped,worshiped,corburetor.

note:*Handicapped is only correct spelling in both BE and AE.

•British English -l,-l-:distil,enrol,fulfil,skilful,wilful.
•American English-ll,-ll-:distill,fulfill,skillful,willful.

•British English-logue:analogue,catalogue,dialogue
•American English-logue,-log:analogue/analog,catalogue/catalog,dialogue/dialog.

British English-ce:defence,offence,pretence.
American English-se:defense,offense,pretense.

note:In BE practice is noun and practise a verb.
In AE both the noun and the verb are spelled practice.
In BE licence is a noun and license a verb.
In AE both the noun and the verb are spelled license.

In second episode I will define the differences in vocabulary.

Many thanks

Source:Learners' Vocabulary Book by George Davidson