1. American and British English
Minor differences

2. What is different? These two varieties of English are very similar.
A few differences of grammar and spelling.
More differences of vocabulary.
Pronunciation can be very different, but most American and British speakers can understand each other easily.

3. Grammar differences British American
I’ve lost my key. Have you seen it?
I lost my key. Have you seen it?
Have a bath / shower
Take a bath / shower
I will / shall be late this evening.
I will be late this evening. (shall sjaldgæft)
We needn’t hurry / We don’t need to hurry.
We don’t need to hurry.
We demanded that something should be done about the problem.
We demanded that something be done about the problem.
He was taken to hospital.
He was taken to the hospital.
At the weekend
On the weekend.
Do you live in this street?
Do you live on this street?
Sjá frekari dæmi bls í Ný e. málfr.

4. Vocabulary differences
British
American
flat, apartment
apartment
barrister, solicitor, lawyer
attorney, lawyer
tin, can
can
sweets
candy
bill (in a restaurant)
check / bill
biscuit
cookie, cracker
sweet corn, maize
corn
cot
crib
mad
crazy
pedestrian / zebra crossing
crosswalk

5. Vocabulary differences
British
American
nappy
diaper
lift
elevator
rubber, eraser
eraser
flat tyre, puncture
flat (tire)
chips
french fries
crisps
potato chips
rubbish
garbage, trash
petrol
gas(oline)
main road, motorway
highway, freeway
bonnet (on a car)
hood

6. Vocabulary differences
British
American
angry
mad
nasty
mean
pavement
sidewalk
trainers
sneakers
van, lorry
truck
holiday(s)
vacation

7. Spelling differences
A number of words end in –or in Am. English and –our in Brit. English (color / colour). Some words end in –er in Am. English and –re in Brit. English (center / centre). Many verbs which end in –ize in Am. English can be spelled with –ize or –ise in Brit. English.
British
American
analyse
analyze
centre
center
cheque (ávísun)
check
honour
honor
litre
liter
pyjamas
pajamas