Vocabulary study – Varities of English
British and American English have some differences. We will focus only on some
differences of spelling and vocabulary, although there are also differences in terms of
sentence structure and pronunciation.
British English
American English
Spelling
Centre
Center
Colour
Color
Cheque
Check
Traveller
Traveler
Wonderful
Wonderfull
Practise (verb)
Practice (verb)
Vocabulary
Holiday
Vacation
Flat
Apartment
Lift
Elevator
Motorway
Freeway
Engine
Motor
Biscuit
Cookie
Sweet
Candy
To book
To make a reservation
Autumn
Fall
Banknote
Bill
Chips
French fries
Petrol
Gas
Timetable
Schedule
Luggage
Baggage
Taxi
Cab
Trousers
Pants
Autor: Lúcia de Freitas Silva
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Exercises
1. What is the equivalent word in British English for…?
a) Favor ______________________
f) Program ___________________
b) Marvelous___________________
g) Meter _____________________
c) Theater ____________________
h) Labor _____________________
d) Offense ____________________
i) Catalog ____________________
e) Fulfill ______________________
j) Defense ___________________
2. Match the American words on the left with the British equivalents on the right.
1
Movies
a
Nappy
2
Dustbin
b
Garbage can
3
Vacuum cleaner
c
Film
4
Diaper
d
Cinema
5
Downtown
e
Wardrobe
6
Movie
f
City centre
7
Store
g
Shop
8
Closet
h
Hoover
9
Purse
i
Lorry
10 Truck
j
Rubber
11 Mail
k
Pub
12 Eraser
l
Handbag
13 Subway
m
Maize
14 Bar
n
Ill
15 Corn
o
Post
16 Sick
p
Underground railway
Autor: Lúcia de Freitas Silva
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