English and American English Spelling
Here are the principal differences in spelling between English and American English.
|
English |
American English |
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Final -l is always doubled after one vowel in stressed and unstressed syllables in English but usually only in stressed syllables in American English, for example:
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rebel > rebelled
travel > travelled
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rebel > rebelled
travel > traveled
|
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Some words end in -tre in English and -ter in American English, for example:
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centre
theatre
|
center
theater
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Some words end in -ogue in English and -og in American English, for example:
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analogue
catalogue
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analog
catalog
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Some words end in -our in English and -or in American English, for example:
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colour
labour
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color
labor
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Some verbs end in -ize or -ise in English but only in -ize in American English, for example:
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realise, realize
harmonise, harmonize
|
realize
harmonize
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Common Differences
| English |
American English |
| all right |
all right, alright (disputed) |
| analyse |
analyze |
| centre |
center |
| cheque |
check |
| colour |
color |
| counsellor |
counselor |
| criticise, criticize |
criticize |
| defence |
defense |
| doughnut |
donut |
| favour |
favor |
| fibre |
fiber |
| flavour |
flavor |
| fulfil |
fulfill |
| grey |
gray |
| honour |
honor |
| humour |
humor |
| jewellery |
jewellery, jewelry |
| judgement, judgment |
judgment |
| kerb |
curb |
| labour |
labor |
license, licence (verb)
licence (noun) |
license (verb)
license (noun) |
| litre |
liter |
| metre |
meter |
| mould |
mold |
| neighbour |
neighbor |
| offence |
offense |
practise (verb)
practice (noun) |
practice (verb)
practice (noun) |
| pretence |
pretense |
programme (plan, concert etc)
program (computer software) |
program
program |
| pyjamas |
pajamas |
| realise, realize |
realize |
| savour |
savor |
| speciality |
specialty |
| theatre |
theater |
travelled
travelling |
travelled, traveled
travelling, traveling |
| tyre |
tire |
| valour |
valor |
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