Friday, April 20, 2007

American English and British English


Although it is easy to identify the difference between American English and British English in pronunciation, it is difficult to find one in usages. The school I'm working at has many teachers who aren't from the US. I don't have any difficulty understanding them, but they sometimes use different words and phrases than me. Below are some usages ESL teachers may need to know.


1) to have a bath
In the US, to take a bath is more common.

2) toilet
Americans prefer "bathroom" or "restroom."

3) click
In the US, people also say snap your fingers.

4) naughty
Another word "sassy" is more widely used when somebody is impudent.

5) "have got" in a question or negation (ex. I haven't got any money. / Have you got a minute?)
Americans do not use this usage. For instance, the examples above must be said like this: "I have no money. / Do you have a minute?"

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