AMERICAN AND BRITISH ENGLISH GRAMMAR – 3 SMART TRICKS TO REMEMBER THE DIFFERENCE

In this article, we will come across the 2 tricks for you to remember the difference between American and British English Grammar. The American and British English Grammar has many important differences and in order for you to sound more natural while you speak, it is essential for you to learn and know about these differences. Let us know what makes American English different than British English.

One of the easiest ways through which you can learn American English Grammar is by watching TV as it contains a lot of American TV shows from which you can choose.

You are free to explore American English grammar in a much more traditional way by purchasing a grammar book like ‘Basic American Grammar Usage’ that is available on Amazon. It provides you with practical lessons regarding American English that also include quizzes. You can even track your progress.

Now, let us head on to the main part of our topic and let us know the 3 tricks to remember the difference between American and British English Grammar,

1. Present Perfect Tense is not used as much by the Americans

Usually, Americans use the simple past tense in order to describe their recent or completed actions. On the other hand, in these cases, the present perfect tense is used by British speakers instead of the simple past tense. We have learned before that the present perfect tense describes an action that takes place in an ongoing or an unspecified timeframe.

For example,

• American English: I went to the hospital.
• British English: I have gone to the hospital.

2. The simple past tense verb is spelled with ‘ed’ by the Americans

In the above-explained pointer, we discussed that the simple past tense is used in describing complete actions. Know that most American English verbs need an ‘ed’ in the end. On the other hand, very often, British English adds a ‘-t’ in the place of ‘-ed’. 

For example,

• American English: dream
• British English: dreamt

3. Usage of different modal verbs

Modal verbs are nothing but a type of and ‘auxiliary verb’ or ‘helping verb’ that functions to change the tense or the mood of the sentence. ‘Should, would, will, could, might’ are some of the English modal verbs. American and British English speakers use these modal verbs very differently. 

For example, 

• American English: I will come.
• British English: I shall come.

• American English: I won’t drink.
• British English: I shan’t drink.

Very often you will also hear British English speakers will use phrases like ‘should like to’ in reference to something they are planning or wanting to do.

The above mentioned are the three ways through which you can remember American and British English Grammar very easily and in the simplest way possible.