Differences between British English and American English spelling

This English spelling course has been written in the UK, by a teacher from the historic city of York. However the course is designed to work for both British and American English spelling. Where there is a difference we highlight it and therefore it is possible to learn British English, American English or both spellings.

If the words are used in a course test, you can choose which version of the test you wish to do - British or American. By covering both British and American English spellings Spellzone is appropriate for teaching all over the world.

Unit 36 includes more information about the differences in English spelling in Britain and in the USA.

Here is an overview of the main differences between British and American spellings:

our endings change to or colour > color
armour armoury behaviour candour clamour colour demeanour endeavour favourite flavour glamour harbour honour humour labour neighbour odour rancour rigour rumour saviour savour savoury splendour valour vapour vigour	armor armory behavior candor clamor color demeanor endeavor favorite flavor glamor harbor honor humor labor neighbor odor rancor rigor rumor savior savor savory splendor valor vapor vigor

re endings change to theatre > theater
amphitheatre calibre centimetre centre fibre kilometre litre louvre lustre manoeuvre meagre metre millimetre sabre sceptre sombre spectre theatre	amphitheater caliber centimeter center fiber kilometer liter louver luster maneuver meager meter millimeter saber scepter somber specter theater
Note: These words are spelled with -re in both Britain and the USA: acre massacre mediocre ogre There is a logical reason for this. Can you work out why these spellings are not changed to in the USA? Join us to find out.

ogue endings change to og catalogue > catalog
analogue dialogue catalogue epilogue monologue prologue travelogue	analog dialog catalog epilog monolog prolog travelog
	Note: -ogue can also be used in the USA

l endings do not double in US spellings traveller > traveler
cancelled counsellor equalled fuelling fuelled grovelling jeweller jewellery levelled libelled marvellous modelling panelled quarrelling revelled woollen	canceled counselor equaled fueling fueled groveling jeweler jewelery leveled libeled marvelous modeling paneled quarreling reveled woolen
To review the doubling rules, look back at Unit 34 page 7
Some British English words ending in one l may have double ll in the USA spelling:
appal distil enrol enthral fulfil instil skilful wilful	appall distill enroll enthrall fulfill instill skillful willful

ae and oe words change to e encyclopaedia > encyclopedia
diarrhoea oestrogen foetus manoeuvre mementoes anaemia caesarean gynaecology haemorrhage leukaemia palaeontology paediatric	diarrhea estrogen fetus maneuver mementos anemia cesarean gynecology hemorrhage leukemia paleontology pediatric

ise endings change to ize apologise > apologize		Some words are the same in both countries:
appetiser authorise capitalise characterise civilise colonise criticise dramatise emphasise equalise mobilise naturalise organise popularise realise recognise satirise standardise symbolise vaporise ************** analyse paralyse	appetizer authorize capitalize characterize civilize colonize criticize dramatize emphasize equalize mobilize naturalize organize popularize realize recognize satirize standardize symbolize vaporize ************** analyze paralyze	size capsize prize seize ************** advise surprise advertise
Note: Some British spellers do use the -ize ending - either is correct - but the American spelling is almost always -ize.

You may remember these -ce and -se words from Unit 20 (Soft c). In some of them, the spelling depends on whether the word is a noun or a verb.
defence	defense
offence	offense
pretence	pretense
vice (workbench tool)	vise
licence (as a noun): I've lost my driving licence.	license (noun and verb)
license (as a verb) is the same in both countries: He is licensed to drive large trucks
practise (as a verb): I practise the piano every day.	practice (noun and verb)
practice (as a noun) is the same in both countries: Get some practice in these words.

Some more examples of spelling differences:

Spelling change
ph > f	sulphate  sulphide  sulphur	sulfate  sulfide  sulfur
ugh > f or w	draught  plough	draft  plow
y > i	tyre (on a wheel)  gybe	tire  jibe
ou > o	mould  moult  smoulder	mold  molt  smolder
mme > m	programme	program
que > ck	cheque (money) chequer (game)	check checker
ge > g	acknowledgement ageing judgement	acknowledgment aging judgment
Miscellaneous:	aluminium	aluminum
	axe	ax
	cosy	cozy
	kerb (edge of road)	curb
	furore	furor
	grey	gray
	carat	(gold) karat
	liquorice	licorice
	moustache	mustache
	nought	naught
	pyjamas	pajamas
	sceptic	skeptic
	phial	vial
	whisky	whiskey

The lists above show the most common spellings that are different in Britain and the USA. With the growth of the Internet, it is likely that the American spellings will become the most used - despite any British objections!

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