Where is the difference?Where is the difference?

Sometimes as we can see in this picture American pronunciation isn’t very easy.In Britain, the «o» vowel (гласный звук), [ɒ], in words like dog, hod, pot, is pronounced with rounded (кругловатый) lips and the tongue back in the mouth. Americans do not have this vowel, instead pronouncing the same words using the «ah» vowel, [ɑ], with the lips unrounded and the tongue back but more relaxed.

Sometimes the reduction of one of the double letters can take place (usually in American English).

In some words «u» is not used in American variant.

batery – battery, programme – program

colour-color rumour-rumor labour-labor travelled-traveled cancelled –canceled catalogue-catalog dialogue - dialog theatre-theater centre - center

British «s» is often changed to «z» in American variant.

organisation= organization

Optimisation= optimization

Virtualisation= virtualization.

Englishmen and Americans usually understand each other without any difficulties. But sometimes they can have problems.

In British English the Present Perfect is used to express an action that has occurred in the recent past and has an effect at the present moment. But in American

English in this situation also Past Simple can be used.

For example: British English: I've just had lunch I've already seen that

filmHave you finished your homework yet?

American English: I just had lunch OR I've just had lunch

I've already seen that film OR I already saw that film.Have your finished your homework yet? OR Did you finish your homework yet?

There are two forms to express possession in English.” Have “or “Have got’While both forms are correct (and accepted in both British and American English), “have got “(have you got, he hasn't got, etc.) is generally the preferred form in British English while most speakers of American English employ “the have “(do you have, he doesn't have etc.)

For example Do you have a car?

Have you got a car?He hasn't got any friends.He doesn't have any friends.She has a beautiful new home.She's got a beautiful new home.

There are also a few differences in the usage of prepositions.

American English - on the weekendBritish English - at the weekend

American English - on a teamBritish English - in a team

American English - please write me soonBritish English - please write to me soon

The following verbs have two acceptable forms of the past simple/past participle in both American and British English, however, the irregular form is generally more common in British English (the first form of the two) and the regular form is more common to American English.

BurnBurnt OR burned

Dreamdreamt OR dreamed

Leanleant OR leaned

Learnlearnt OR learned

Smellsmelt OR smelled

Spellspelt OR spelled

Spillspilt OR spilled

Spoilspoilt OR spoiled

In British variant the names of diseases are material. In informal speech before the names of diseases could be used article the (for example, the measles - корь, the flu - грипп, ), but in informal one theyare usually used without article.

The names of usual diseases are often used with article a. for example: a cold - простуда, a sore throat – боль в горле, a headache – головная боль). however such words as toothache – зубная боль, earache – боль в ухе, stomach-ache – боль в животе и backache – боль в спине, are usually used as material.

But in American variant those words are computable (исчисляемые).

 

Love isn't as bad as toothache. (BrE)Love isn't as bad as a toothache. (AmE)Любовь не причиняет такой боли, как больной зуб.

I have got backache. (BrE)I have got a backache. (AmE)У меня боль в пояснице.  

In British variant the word “ill is often used in the meaning of "больной", "нездоровый". But in American English the word “ill is used only in formal speech. Ill is mainly used as predicative.

Peter didn't come because he was ill.Питер не пришел, потому что был болен.

The sick man is getting better.Больной поправляется.

He is sick. (AmE)He is ill. (BrE)Он болен.

In British English both In British English both ““around” and “about” around” and “about” are used when a are used when a person wants to person wants to describe ones describe ones indefinite location.indefinite location.

But in American English But in American English the word «the word «about» is about» is not used in that not used in that meaning.meaning. In American English the In American English the word “word “about” is about” is mainly used in the mainly used in the meaning of meaning of ««approximately», approximately», «rough».«rough».( ( ""приблизительноприблизительно", ", ""примернопримерно").").

The children were running around/about everywhere. (BrE)Дети бегали везде.

"Where is John?" "He must be somewhere around/about." (BrE)Где Джон? – Он должен быть где-то рядом.

The children were running around everywhere. (AmE)"Where is John?" "He must be somewhere around." (AmE)

There were about fifty people there.Там было около пятидесяти человек.

In British variant “any more “is usually written apart, but in American one it is written as a solid word “anymore. “

She doesn't work in New York anymore. (AmE)

She doesn’t work in New York any more. (BrE)

Она больше не работает в Нью-Йорке.

In British English article “the “is not usually used with the names of large social or state buildings and organizations.

But in American English it Can be used with the

names of such organizations and buildings.

Oxford University (not the Oxford University)Hull Station (not the Hull Station)Salisbury CathedralBirmingham AirportBristol ZooManchester City Council

The San Diego Zoo

The Detroit City Council

AUTUMN CHEMISTS CINEMA RAILWAY TAXI SWEETS CORN TIME-TABLE PAVEMENT LIFT

British English American English

I have lost my key.

I have two brothers

I have got backache

Love isn’t as bad as toothache

Fibre Theatre Colour Apologise Travelled Humour Rumour Centre

So we have found out some different specifics of both variants of English. We love our work very much and have learnt many interesting facts because of it.