First, we need to clarify that British English is not standard. There is Cockney, Geordie, and Midlands accents of English to name a few. But the spoken language differences are not what I want to stress out in this post.
As you may know, the United Kingdom compromised one quarter of the world before World War II. Each different country part of the Commonwealth used British grammar conventions. The Canadians, Aussies, Kiwis, half of sub-Saharan Africa, and India mostly use British grammar. All of these countries, except for Canada, drive their cars on the left.
Spelling differences are many, but not entirely different. Brit spelling of substituting the "s" to a "z" in many words like "analise" or "characterise." Certain words add an "u" like "endevour" or "fervour."
Not only spelling is different, even grammar rules change. In American English you use double apostrophe for initial quotes, in Brit English it's the other way around, single apostrophes are for initial quotes. The quotes in America go after punctuation, but in Brit English quotes are placed before the punctuation. The conventional sentence structure is different too, in America the past simple is used for recent events, but in the UK it is more common to use the present perfect.
Yet, in real time, these differences are not dramatic, you will not notice a great difference when talking or hearing a Brit or Aussie. Needless to say, it is important to understand their dialects, and their common phrases. Many movies, books, music bands are British. Most recently, we can see Harry Potter novelist JK Rowling, become the most sold author in the world. One of most powerful financial centers in the world is also, located in London. It is the biggest stock market in Europe, so its good for business too.
As you may know, the United Kingdom compromised one quarter of the world before World War II. Each different country part of the Commonwealth used British grammar conventions. The Canadians, Aussies, Kiwis, half of sub-Saharan Africa, and India mostly use British grammar. All of these countries, except for Canada, drive their cars on the left.
Spelling differences are many, but not entirely different. Brit spelling of substituting the "s" to a "z" in many words like "analise" or "characterise." Certain words add an "u" like "endevour" or "fervour."
Not only spelling is different, even grammar rules change. In American English you use double apostrophe for initial quotes, in Brit English it's the other way around, single apostrophes are for initial quotes. The quotes in America go after punctuation, but in Brit English quotes are placed before the punctuation. The conventional sentence structure is different too, in America the past simple is used for recent events, but in the UK it is more common to use the present perfect.
Yet, in real time, these differences are not dramatic, you will not notice a great difference when talking or hearing a Brit or Aussie. Needless to say, it is important to understand their dialects, and their common phrases. Many movies, books, music bands are British. Most recently, we can see Harry Potter novelist JK Rowling, become the most sold author in the world. One of most powerful financial centers in the world is also, located in London. It is the biggest stock market in Europe, so its good for business too.
