UNIT 1: THE COMMUNICATION ESSENTIALS
LESSON 5: FAMILIARIZING WITH BRITISH AND AMERICAN ENGLISH
VOCABULARIES AND EXPRESSIONS
Philippine English is patterned after the American English Language. However, we are
not very aware that we unconsciously use in writing and speaking some English terms that have
British origins. Let us, therefore, try to distinguish British and American vocabularies and
expressions. Remember, written communication in English is often formal. If you decide to use
American English, be consistent all throughout your writing especially in regard to diction.
While American and British people understand each other, there are a few differences
between American English and British English. Notable differences are observed in spelling,
vocabulary, pronunciation, and even grammar. In the tables you will find some of these
differences.
Vocabulary
American English British English
apartment Flat
pants trouser
soccer football
movie film
elevator lift
chips French fries
closet wardrobe
cookie biscuit
faucet tap
trash can trash bin
garbage rubbish
pavement sidewalk
restroom/bathroom toilet
cell phone mobile phone
gas/gasoline petrol
candy sweets
vacation holiday
TV telly
vest waistcoat
drapes curtains
mail post
pissed (angry) pissed (drunk)
rubber (condom) rubber (eraser)
fag (gay) fag (cigarette)
bang (locks of hair on forehead) bang (explosion/sexual contact)
truck, semi, tractor Lorry
crazy, insane mad
corn maize
, math maths
motorcycle motorbike
diaper nappy
pet peeve pet hate
allowance pocket money
mailbox postbox
zip code postcode
mailman, mail carrier, letter carrier postman
bar pub
restroom, public bathroom public toilet
railroad railway
round-trip return
Spelling
American English British English
enrol enroll
traveling travelling
modeling modelling
dreamed dreamt/dreamed
learned learnt/learned
humor humour
neighbor neighbour
color colour
check cheque
gray grey
organize organize
realize realise
practice practice
center centre
theater theatre
liter litre
program programme
catalog catalogue
dialog dialogue
toward towards
sizable sizeable
Syntax American English British English
Present Perfect vs uses the simple past uses the present perfect
Past Simple e.g., Maribel feels ill. She ate too e.g., Maribel feels ill. She’s eaten
much. too much.
e.g., I can’t find my keys. Did e.g., I can’t find my keys. Have
you see them anywhere? you seen them anywhere?
LESSON 5: FAMILIARIZING WITH BRITISH AND AMERICAN ENGLISH
VOCABULARIES AND EXPRESSIONS
Philippine English is patterned after the American English Language. However, we are
not very aware that we unconsciously use in writing and speaking some English terms that have
British origins. Let us, therefore, try to distinguish British and American vocabularies and
expressions. Remember, written communication in English is often formal. If you decide to use
American English, be consistent all throughout your writing especially in regard to diction.
While American and British people understand each other, there are a few differences
between American English and British English. Notable differences are observed in spelling,
vocabulary, pronunciation, and even grammar. In the tables you will find some of these
differences.
Vocabulary
American English British English
apartment Flat
pants trouser
soccer football
movie film
elevator lift
chips French fries
closet wardrobe
cookie biscuit
faucet tap
trash can trash bin
garbage rubbish
pavement sidewalk
restroom/bathroom toilet
cell phone mobile phone
gas/gasoline petrol
candy sweets
vacation holiday
TV telly
vest waistcoat
drapes curtains
mail post
pissed (angry) pissed (drunk)
rubber (condom) rubber (eraser)
fag (gay) fag (cigarette)
bang (locks of hair on forehead) bang (explosion/sexual contact)
truck, semi, tractor Lorry
crazy, insane mad
corn maize
, math maths
motorcycle motorbike
diaper nappy
pet peeve pet hate
allowance pocket money
mailbox postbox
zip code postcode
mailman, mail carrier, letter carrier postman
bar pub
restroom, public bathroom public toilet
railroad railway
round-trip return
Spelling
American English British English
enrol enroll
traveling travelling
modeling modelling
dreamed dreamt/dreamed
learned learnt/learned
humor humour
neighbor neighbour
color colour
check cheque
gray grey
organize organize
realize realise
practice practice
center centre
theater theatre
liter litre
program programme
catalog catalogue
dialog dialogue
toward towards
sizable sizeable
Syntax American English British English
Present Perfect vs uses the simple past uses the present perfect
Past Simple e.g., Maribel feels ill. She ate too e.g., Maribel feels ill. She’s eaten
much. too much.
e.g., I can’t find my keys. Did e.g., I can’t find my keys. Have
you see them anywhere? you seen them anywhere?
