Differences in Grammar between British and American English

Sneakers Trainers Triple Treble Transportation Transport noun Pants Trousers Cart Trolley Subway Tube Tucked in Tucked up as in “the baby was tucked up for the night Study of Tuition for noun as in “tuition for the flute” Subway Underground Upscale Up market Vacuum tube Valve Undershirt Vest Walker device to assist the elderly Walking frame Doing the dishes Washing up Vest Waistcoat

3.2 Differences in Grammar between British and American English

There are some differences in Grammar between British and American English. They are:

3.2.1 The usage of Present Perfect

In British English, The Present Perfect is used to express an action that has accrued in the recent past that has an effect on the present moment. Example: ▪ I’ve lost my key. Can you help me look for it? British English ▪ I lost my key. Can you help me look for it? American English In British English, the usage above would be considered incorrect. However, both forms are generally accepted in standard American English. Universitas Sumatera Utara Other differences involving the usage of present perfect in British English and American English include already, just and yet Example: . ●British English ▪ I’ve just had breakfast ▪ I’ve already watched the program ▪ Have you finished your duty yet? ● American English ▪ I just had breakfast or I’ve just had breakfast ▪ I already watched the program or I’ve already watched the program ▪ Have you finished your duty yet? 0r Did you finish your duty yet?

3.2.2 The usage of Preposition

There are few differences in using Preposition in British English and American English, such as: the, a, for, pastafter, toof, till AMERICAN BRITISH Be in the hospital Be in hospital Be at the university Be at university Go to a university Go to university Go to class Go to a class In the future In future Did it the next day Did it next day Haven’t done something forin weeks Haven’t done something for weeks Ten minutes past after six o’ clock Ten minutes past six o’clock Five minutes tooftill seven o’clock Five minutes to seven o’clock Universitas Sumatera Utara On the weekend At the weekend On a team In a team Please write me soon Please write to me soon Different fromthan Different fromto

3.2.3 The usage of Possession There are two forms to express possession in English. They are have

and have got. In America English, the possession uses have and in British English uses have got. Example: ▪ Do you have a car? AmE Have you got a car? BrE ▪ He doesn’t have any friends AmE He hasn’t got any friends BrE ▪ She has beautiful new home AmE She has got a beautiful new home BrE

3.2.4 The usage of the verb Get The past participle of the verb get is Gotten in American English

Example: ▪ He has gotten much better at playing tennis But, in British English, the past participle of the verb get is got Example: ▪ He has got much better at playing tennis Universitas Sumatera Utara

3.2.5 The usage of past simple past participles

The form of past simple past participle is acceptable in both American and British English, however, the irregular form is generally more common in British English and the regular form is more common to American English. Example: American British Burned Burnt Dreamed Dreamt Leaned Leant Learned Learnt Smelled Smelt Spelled Spelt Spoiled Spoilt Spilled Spilt

3.2.6 Verb agreement with collective nouns

In British English, collective nounsi.e. nouns referring to particular groups of people or things, e.g. staff, government, class, teamcan be followed by a singular or plural verb depending on whether the group is thought of as one idea, or as many individuals. Example: ▪ My Team is winning ▪ The other team are all sitting down ▪ Which team isare losing? Both plural and singular forms of the verb are possible In American English collective nouns are always followed by a singular verb. Universitas Sumatera Utara Example: ▪ The other team is all sitting down ▪ Which team is losing? 3.2.7 The usage of delixical verbs Have and Take In British English, the verb Have frequently functions as what is technically referred to as a delixical verb, i.e. it is used in contexts where it has very little meaning in itself but occurs with an object noun which describes an action. Example: ▪ I’d like to have a bath Have is frequently used in this way with nouns referring to common activities such as washing or resting. Example: ▪ She’s having a little nap ▪ I’ll just have a quick shower before we go out. In American English, the verb Take, rather than have, is used in these contexts. Example: ▪ Joe’s taking a shower ▪ I’d like to take a bath ▪ Let’s take a short vacation ▪ Why don’t you take a rest now? Universitas Sumatera Utara 3.2.8 The Usage of auxiliaries and modals In British English, the auxiliary Do is often used as a substitute for a verb when replying to a question. Example: ▪ A: Are you coming with us?

B: I might do. In American English, Do is not used in this way.

Example: ▪ A: Are you coming with us? B: I might. In British English, needn’t is often used instead of don’t need to. Example: ▪ They needn’t come to school today. In American English, needn’t is very unusual and the usual form is don’t need to. Example: ▪ They don’t need to come to school today. In British English, shall is sometimes used an alternative to will to talk about the future. Example: ▪ I shallwill be there later. Universitas Sumatera Utara In American English, shall is unusual and will is normally used. Example: ▪ I will be there later. In British English, shall I we is often used to ask for advice or an opinion. Example: ▪ Shall we ask him to come with us. In American English, should is often used instead of shall. Example: ▪ Should we ask him to come with us?

3.3 Differences in Spelling between British and American English