Example: In the UK, you play football; in the US, you play soccer.
1. In the UK, you eat biscuits; in the US, you eat ______.
2. In the UK, you buy a return ticket; in the US, you buy a _________.
3. In the UK, you take a lift; in the US, you take an __________.
4. In the UK, you go to the cinema; in the US, you go to the __________.
5. In the UK, you wear trousers; in the US, you wear __________.
6. In the UK, you go on holiday; in the US, you go on _________.
7. In the UK, you wait in a queue; in the US, you wait in a ________.
8. In the UK, the third season is autumn; in the US, the third season is _________.
9. In the UK, you wear a jumper; in the US, you wear a ___________.
10. In the UK, you eat sweets; in the US, you eat ___________.
11. In the UK, you live in a flat; in the US, you live in an _________.
12. In the UK, you eat chips; in the US, you eat ________.
13. In the UK, you eat crisps; in the US, you eat ________.
14. In the UK, you throw away rubbish; in the US, you throw away _____.
Compare the British and American dialogues
American
British
1. A Do you have the time?
B Yeah, it's five of four.
A Did you say five after?
B No, five of four.
2 A What are you gonna do on the weekend?
B The usual stuff. Play soccer with the kids, and sweep the yard.
3 A Did you enjoy the game?
B Yeah, it was great, but we had to stand in line for half an hour to get tickets.
4 A Did you have a good vacation?
B Yeah, real good.
A How long were you away?
B Five days in all. Monday thru Friday.
5 A Can you mail this letter and package for me?
B Sure thing.
A And can you stop by the liquor store and buy a six-pack of Michelob and some potato chips?
B Is that all?
6 A Did you see The Birds on cable last night?
B Sure, even though I've seen it two times before.
A My third time. Isn't it just an awesome movie?
B Sure is. One of my favorites.
7 A Did they bring the check yet?
B Yeah. They just did. But I can't read a thing. It's lighted so badly in here.
8 A Do we need to stop for gas?
B Yeah, why not? I need to use the restroom anyway
1 A Have you got the time?
B Yeah, it's five to four.
A Did you say five past?
B No, five to four.
2 A What are you going to do at the weekend?
8 The usual. Play football with my kids, and do a bit of gardening.
3 A Did you enjoy the match?
B Yeah, it was great, but we had to queue for half an hour to get tickets.
4 A Did you have a good holiday?
B Yeah, really good.
A How long were you away?
B Five days altogether. From Monday to Friday.
5 A Can you post this letter and parcel for me?
B Of course.
A And can you call at the off-licence and buy a six-pack of Stella and some crisps?
B Is that all?
6 A Did you watch The Birds on telly last night?
B I did, even though I've seen it twice before.
A My third time. Isn't it just a terrific film?
B It certainly is. One of my favourites.
7 A Have they brought the bill yet?
B Yeah, they just have. But I can't read a thing. The lighting is so bad in here.
8 A Do we need to stop for petrol?
B Yes, why not. I need to go to the loo anyway.
BRITISH VS AMERICAN ENGLISH
There are a few grammatical differences between British English and American English:
AMERICAN
The present perfect is more common:
I've lost my key. Have you seen it?
(or I lost my key. Did you see it?)
The present perfect is more common with just,alreadyand yet.
I'm not hungry. I've just had lunch.
(or I just had lunch.)
He's already left.Have you finished work yet?
The past simpleis more common:
I lost my key. Did you see it?
(or I've lost my key. Have you seen it?)
The past simple is more common with just,alreadyand yet.
I'm not hungry. I just had lunch. (or I've just had lunch.)
He already Left.Did you finish work yet?
British speakers usually say:
have a bath, have a shower
have a break, have a holiday
American speakers say:
take a bath, take a shower
take a break, take a vacation
at the weekend/at weekends:
Will you be here at the weekend?
on the weekend/on weekends:
Will you be here on the weekend?
at university/school
She studied chemistry at university.
in university/school
She studied French in high school.
write to smb.
I promised to write to her every day.
write smb.
I promised to write her every day.
atthe front/atthe back (of a group etc.)
Let's sit at the front (of the cinema).
inthe front/inthe back (of a group etc.):
Let's sit in the front (of the movie theater).
Nouns like government/team/familyetc. can have a singular or plural verb:
The team is/are playing well.
These nouns normally take a singular verb in
American English:
The team is playing well.
Some verbs (burn, spelletc.) can be regular or irregular (burned/burnt, spelled/speltetc.)
V3 of getisgot:
Your English has got much better.
(= has become much better)
Verbs are often regular (burned, spelledetc.)
V3 of getisgotten:
Your English has gotten much better.
1. Words ending in –re
British English words that end in -re often end in -er in American English:
British
US
British
US
centre
center
litre
liter
fibre
fiber
theatre
theater or theatre
Words ending in -our
British English words ending in -our usually end in -or in American English:
The present perfect is more common with just,alreadyand yet.
I'm not hungry. I've just had lunch.
(or I just had lunch.)
He's already left.
Have you finished work yet?
The past simple is more common with just,alreadyand yet.
I'm not hungry. I just had lunch. (or I've just had lunch.)
He already Left.
Did you finish work yet?
on the weekend/on weekends:
Will you be here on the weekend?
1. Words ending in –re