There are two main types of written English: British English and American English.
When it comes to academic writing, most scholarly journals will specify which type they prefer in their instructions for authors. If they don’t, then you must choose between the two and make sure your writing stays consistent. If not, then your document could face rejection.
In this blog, you will learn some differences between British English and American English so you can make sure your document correctly follows one or the other.
Spelling: British English vs. American English
‘-our’ vs. ‘-or’
British English words ending in ‘our’ usually end in ‘or’ in American English:
‘-ise’ vs. ‘-ize’
Verbs that end in ‘ize’ in American English can end in either ‘ise’ or ‘ize’ in British English:
‘-yse’ vs. ‘-yze’
Verbs that end in ‘yse’ in British English always end in ‘yze’ in American English:
Double ‘L’ vs. Single ‘L’
In verbs ending in a vowel plus ‘L,’ the ‘L’ is doubled in Brithish English, but not in American English:
‘ae’/’oe’ vs. ‘e’
Some British English words that are spelled with ‘ae’ or ‘oe’ are spelled with just an ‘e’ in American English:
Of course, there are exceptions to this difference in spelling. For example, the British English spelling of ‘archaeology’ is accepted in American English.
‘-ence’ vs. ‘-ense’
Some nouns that end in ‘ence’ in British English end in ‘ense’ in American English:
‘-ogue’ vs. ‘-og’
Some nouns that end in ‘ogue’ in British English can end in ‘og’ or ‘ogue’ in American English:
Vocabulary: British English vs. American English
When writing in British English or American English, it is essential that you use specific words and phrases that are unique to that form of English. For instance, if you write about an elevator in British English, you will use the word “lift.” “Elevator” and “lift” mean the same thing, but they are two completely different words.
Here are some words and phrases that mean the same thing, but are written differently in British English and American English:
How eContent Pro Can Help
At eContent Pro (eCPro), we have an incredible team of professional copy editors who can help make sure your spelling, vocabulary, and word choice are consistent for manuscript publication. Our native English-speaking copy editors and certified proofreaders are highly experienced and specialize in over 10 research areas, ensuring that your document is in good hands.
We take pride in providing top-notch editorial services that are tailored to meet the needs of our clients. With over 20 years of experience in the publishing industry, we have earned a reputation for delivering high-quality work that is error-free and polished to perfection at the quickest turnaround time.
In addition, we use Microsoft Word's Track Changes feature to perform edits, allowing you to easily review and manage the changes made to your document. We also follow various style guides, including APA 7th edition, MLA, AP, Harvard, Chicago, and more, to ensure that your document adheres to the standards set by your academic institution or publisher.
Make the Correct Choice
eCPro is committed to providing excellent service at a competitive price. Our English Language Copy Editing and Proofreading service costs just US $0.06 per word, with a turnaround time of 2-3 business days at no extra cost. Your total cost of copy editing will also benefit from our current 10% academic discount.
Contact us today to learn more about our editorial services and how we can help you achieve your publishing goals. With our team of experts by your side, you can be confident that your document will be polished to perfection and ready to stand out in the competitive publishing landscape.
