Even though we both understand each other in verbal and written English, there are a lot of  spelling and grammatical differences. Doing courses and interacting with people in America I have been attacked, marked down and slated for the apparent wrong english. Here are some of the differences of which I am currently aware. I will add more as I become exposed to the differences.

Spelling:

American:

 -ed words

Learned, Spelled, Spoiled        –   Except: Dreamt, Smelt

-or words

Color

British:

-t and –ed words

Learnt/Learned

Burned/Burnt

Dreamed/Dreamt

Leave/Left                                 – Except: Smelled, Leaped

-our words

Colour

Dates:

American:

No Article

My birthday is August 20^th

British:

Article + Preposition

My birthday is the 20^th of August

Past Participle: – Got

American:

Gotten/Got

(Past) I’ve gotten a toothache.

(Present) I’ve got a toothache.

For necessity: Informal

I got to go.

I got a car.

British:

Got

(past) I’ve had a toothache.

(Present) I’ve got a toothache.

For necessity: Present Perfect

I’ve got to go.

I’ve got a car.

Recent Past Events:

American:

Already/Just/Yet + Past Simple

I just made it.

I’ve already started.

Did he leave yet?

British:

Present Perfect

I have just made it.

I have already started.

Has he left yet?

Subjunctive Mood:

American:

(Present) They suggested he rent a car.

British:

They Suggested that he should rent a car.

They suggested he rented a car.

Collective Nouns:

American:

Singular verb

Brian’s family is coming to visit.

British:

Singular Verb or Plural Verb

Brian’s family is/are coming to visit       – Except: Police

Compound Nouns:

American:

Verb + Noun

Jump Rope.

Dive Board.

British:

Gerund + Noun

Skipping rope.

Diving Board