What is the difference between American English and British English?

American English is used in the US, while British English is used in the UK. The main differences between American English and British English relate to:

Spelling (e.g., “defense or defence,” “fulfil or fulfill,” “favorite or favourite”)
Punctuation (e.g., use of the Oxford comma, use of dashes)
Grammar (e.g., use of plural or singular verbs with collective nouns)
Word choice (e.g., “elevator or lift,” “period or full stop”)

There are also many differences in pronunciation and colloquial language that are not relevant in the context of formal writing.

UK vs US: Other interesting questions

Is it maid of honour or honor?: Honor and honour are two spellings of the same noun or verb. The spelling depends on the type of English.

In American English, you use “honor,” so maid of honor is correct.

In British English, you use “honour,” so maid of honour is standard.

The same difference applies to similar words, such as “behaviour or behavior,” “labor or labour,” “color or colour,” “favorite or favourite,” “favor or favour,” and “humor or humour.”

It’s important to choose one type of English and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
Is it your Honor or your Honour?: Honor and honour are two spellings of the same noun or verb. The spelling depends on the type of English.

In American English, you use your Honor as a title of respect (e.g., to address a judge).

In British English, you use your Honour instead.

The same difference applies to similar words, such as “behavior or behaviour,” “labor or labour,” “favor or favour,” “favorite or favourite,” “color or colour,” and “humor or humour.”

A QuillBot grammar check can help ensure you’re using one type of English consistently.
Is it sense of humour or humor?: Humor and humour are two spellings of the same noun or verb. The spelling depends on the type of English.

In American English, you use “humor,” so “sense of humor” is correct.

In British English, you use “humour,” so “sense of humour” is correct.

The same difference applies to similar words, such as “behavior or behaviour,” “labor or labour,” “favor or favour,” “favorite or favourite,” “color or colour,” and “honor or honour.”

A QuillBot grammar check can help ensure you’re using either “sense of humor” or “sense of humour” consistently.
Is it vitreous humour or humor?: Humor and humour are two spellings of the same noun or verb. The spelling depends on the type of English.

In American English, you use “humor,” so “vitreous humor” is correct.

In British English, you use “humour,” so “vitreous humour” is correct.

“Vitreous humour/humor” refers to the clear, gelatinous mass that fills the space in the eye between the retina and lens.

The same difference applies to similar words, such as “behavior or behaviour,” “labor or labour,” “favor or favour,” “favorite or favourite,” “color or colour,” and “honor or honour.”

A QuillBot grammar check can help you use either “humor” or “humour” correctly.
Is it humor or humour in Australia?: Humor and humour are two spellings of the same noun or verb. The spelling depends on the type of English.

In American English, you use “humor.”

In British English, you use “humour.”

Australian English mostly follows British English guidelines, so humour is correct.

The same difference applies to similar words, such as “behavior or behaviour,” “labor or labour,” “favor or favour,” “favorite or favourite,” “color or colour,” and “honor or honour.”

It’s important to choose one and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
Is it I dreamed or I dreamt?: Dreamed and dreamt are two spellings of the same verb. They’re both common, depending on the variant of English:

Dreamed is more common in American English.

Dreamt is more common in British English.

In both cases, the other variant of this past-tense verb is also considered acceptable. It’s important to choose one and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
Is it dreamed or dreamt in British English?: Dreamed and dreamt are two spellings of the same verb. They’re both common, but dreamt is more common in British English (whereas dreamed is more common in American English).

It’s important to choose one and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
It is daydreamed or daydreamt?: Dreamed and dreamt are two spellings of the same verb. They’re both common, depending on the variant of English:

Dreamed up is more common in American English.

Dreamt up is more common in British English.

In both cases, the other variant of this past-tense verb is also considered acceptable. It’s important to choose one and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
Why is American English different from British English?: Spelling in English was not standardized before the 18th century, meaning that many words had several different spellings. In 1755, Samuel Johnson’s Dictionary of the English Language was published in the UK, standardizing spellings for the first time.

Meanwhile, Noah Webster’s American Dictionary of the English Language (the ancestor of Merriam-Webster) appeared in 1828 in the US. Webster disagreed with Johnson on various points of spelling, and Webster’s dictionary, not Johnson’s, was adopted as a guide to standard spelling for American English.

Neither Johnson nor Webster invented the spellings they recommended for British and American English; rather, they looked at the spellings that were in common use at the time and made decisions about which ones they regarded as most widespread and reasonable.

Different national variants of a language tend to develop differences because they evolve in isolation from each other over time. With modern globalization and American cultural influence, these differences are becoming smaller, although they still exist.
Is it realise or realize in India?: Realise and realize are two spellings of the same verb. The spelling depends on the type of English.

In British English, you use “realise.”

In American English, you use “realize.”

Indian English generally follows the UK guidelines for spelling, so realise is standard.

The same difference applies to similar words, such as recognize or recognise, analyze or analyse, finalize or finalise, minimize or minimise, and organize or organise.

It’s important to choose one and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
Is it realise or realize in Canada?: Realise and realize are two spellings of the same verb. The spelling depends on the type of English.

In British English, you use “realise.”

In American English, you use “realize.”

Canadian English usually follows the UK guidelines for spelling, but for words ending in -ize or -yze, it follows American guidelines. This means realize is standard.

The same difference applies to similar words, such as recognize or recognise, analyze or analyse, finalize or finalise, minimize or minimise, and organize or organise.

It’s important to choose one and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
Is it take offense or take offence?: Offence and offense are two spellings of the same noun. The spelling depends on the type of English.

In British English, “offence” is the normal spelling, so it’s take offence.

In American English, “offense” is standard, so it’s take offense.

The same distinction applies to similar words, such as defence or defense, licence or license, and pretence or pretense.

It’s important to choose one spelling and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
Is it first offence or first offense?: Offence and offense are two spellings of the same noun. The spelling depends on the type of English.

In British English, “offence” is the usual spelling, so it’s first offence.

In American English, “offense” is standard, so it’s first offense.

The same difference applies to similar words, such as defence or defense, licence or license, and pretence or pretense.

It’s important to choose one spelling and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
Is it no offence or no offense?: Offence and offense are two spellings of the same noun. The spelling depends on the type of English.

In British English, “offence” is most common, so it’s no offence.

In American English, “offense” is standard, so it’s no offense.

The same difference applies to similar words, such as defence or defense, licence or license, and pretence or pretense.

It’s important to choose one spelling and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this
Is it traveling or travelling in basketball?: Travelling and traveling are two spellings of the same verb.

In this context, it refers to a violation that takes place when a basketball player takes too many steps without dribbling the ball.

The spelling depends on the type of English you use:

Travelling is standard in British English.

Traveling is correct in American English.

It’s important to choose one and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
Is it I will be traveling or travelling?: Travelling and traveling are two spellings of the same verb. The spelling depends on the type of English you use:

I will be travelling is more common in British English.

I will be traveling is more common in American English.

It’s important to choose one and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
Is it traveling or travelling in AP style?: Travelling and traveling are two spellings of the same verb. The spelling depends on the type of English you use:

I will be travelling is more common in British English.

I will be traveling is more common in American English.

It’s important to choose one and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
Is it judgement or judgment in AP style?: Judgment and judgement are two spellings of the same noun. The spelling depends on the type of English.

In American English, you use “judgment” (with no “e”).

In British English, you use “judgement” (with an “e”).

AP style follows American English guidelines, so judgment (without an “e”) is correct.

It’s important touse one spelling consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
Is it judgement-free or judgment-free?: Judgment and judgement are two spellings of the same noun. The spelling depends on the type of English.

In American English, you use “judgment” (no “e”), so judgment-free is correct.

In British English, you use “judgement” (with an “e”), so judgement-free is correct.

It’s important to choose one and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
Is it child labour or labor?: Labor and labour are two spellings of the same noun. The spelling depends on the type of English.

In American English, you write “child labor.”

In British English, you write “child labour.”

The same difference applies to similar words, such as “behaviour or behavior,” “honor or honour,” “color or colour,” “favorite or favourite,” “favor or favour,” and “humor or humour.”

It’s important to choose one type of English and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
Is it Labour Day or Labor Day?: Labor and labour are two spellings of the same noun. The spelling depends on the type of English.

In American English, “Labor Day” is correct.

In British English, “Labour Day” is standard.

The same difference applies to similar words, such as “behaviour or behavior,” “honor or honour,” “color or colour,” “favorite or favourite,” “favor or favour,” and “humor or humour.”

QuillBot’s grammar check tool can help ensure you’re using “Labor Day” or “Labour Day” consistently.
Is it manual labour or manual labor?: Labor and labour are two spellings of the same noun. The spelling depends on the type of English.

In American English, “manual labor” is standard.

In British English, “manual labour” is correct.

The same difference applies to similar words, such as “behaviour or behavior,” “honor or honour,” “color or colour,” “favorite or favourite,” “favor or favour,” and “humor or humour.”

A QuillBot grammar check can help ensure you’re using one type of English consistently.
Is it favorite or favourite in Canada?: Favourite and favorite are two spellings of the same noun, adjective or verb. The spelling depends on the type of English.

In British English, you use “favourite.”

In American English, you use “favorite.”

Canadian English mainly follows British English guidelines, so favourite is the correct spelling.

The same distinction applies to similar words, such as “honor or honour,” “labor or labour,” “favor or favour,” “behavior or behaviour,” “color or colour,” and “humor or humour.”

It’s important to choose one type of English and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
Is it favorite or favourite in India?: Favourite and favorite are two spellings of the same noun, adjective or verb. The spelling depends on the type of English.

In British English, you use “favourite.”

In American English, you use “favorite.”

Indian English mostly follows British English guidelines, so favourite is standard.

The same distinction applies to similar words, such as “honor or honour,” “labor or labour,” “favor or favour,” “behavior or behaviour,” “color or colour,” and “humor or humour.”

It’s important to choose one type of English and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
Is it behavior or behaviour in Canada?: Behaviour and behavior are two spellings of the same noun. The spelling depends on the type of English.

In British English, you use “behaviour.”

In American English, you use “behavior.”

Canadian English mainly follows UK guidelines, so behaviour is the correct spelling.

The same difference applies to similar words, such as “honor or honour,” “labor or labour,” “favor or favour,” “favorite or favourite,” “color or colour,” and “humor or humour.”

It’s important to choose one type of English and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
Is it behavior or behaviour in Australia?: Behaviour and behavior are two spellings of the same noun. The spelling depends on the type of English.

In British English, you use “behaviour.”

In American English, you use “behavior.”

Australian English mainly follows UK guidelines, so behaviour is the correct spelling.

The same difference applies to similar words, such as “honor or honour,” “labor or labour,” “favor or favour,” “favorite or favourite,” “color or colour,” and “humor or humour.”

It’s important to choose one type of English and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
Is it toward or towards in AP style?: Toward and towards are two spellings of the same preposition. The spelling depends on the type of English.

In American English, “toward” is more common.

In British English, “towards” is preferred.

AP style generally follows American English conventions, so they favor toward.

It’s important to choose one and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
Is it leaning toward or towards?: Toward and towards are two spellings of the same preposition. The spelling depends on the type of English.

In American English, you typically use “toward,” so leaning toward is most common.

In British English, you generally use “towards,” so leaning towards is most common.

It’s important to choose one and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
Is it geared toward or towards?: Toward and towards are two spellings of the same preposition. The spelling depends on the type of English.

In American English, you typically use “toward,” so geared toward is most common.

In British English, you generally use “towards,” so geared towards is most common.

It’s important to choose one and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
Is it not anymore or not any more?: Not anymore and not any more are both correct, but the variant you have to use depends on the context. You can follow these rules of thumb to pick between anymore and any more:

If you’re referring to time, you use “anymore.”

If you’re referring to a quantity, you use “any more” (but there is typically a verb between “not” and “any more”).

The QuillBot Grammar Checker can automatically fix your mistakes for free!
Is it I can’t love you anymore or any more?: Both “I can’t love you anymore” and “I can’t love you any more” are correct, but they mean two different things.

“I can’t love you anymore” means “I can no longer love you.”

“I can’t love you any more” means “my love for you cannot get any stronger.”

When you have to pick between anymore and any more, you need to determine whether you want to indicate time (anymore) or a quantity (any more).

The QuillBot Grammar Checker can automatically fix your mistakes for free!
Is it financial advisor or adviser?: Financial advisor and financial adviser are both equally correct. It’s important to be consistent throughout your writing, whether you choose advisor or adviser.

The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with consistency and other problems!
Is it college adviser or advisor?: College adviser and college advisor are both equally correct. It’s important to be consistent throughout your writing, whether you choose advisor or adviser.

The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with consistency and other problems!
Is it PhD advisor or adviser?: PhD advisor and PhD adviser are both equally correct. It’s important to be consistent throughout your writing, whether you choose advisor or adviser.

The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with consistency and other problems!
Is it theater or theatre in AP style?: Theatre and theater are spelled differently in American and British English.

In British English, “theatre” is standard.

In American English, “theater” is used.

AP style follows American English guidelines, so theater is the correct way to spell the noun.

This is also true for similar words, such as center or centre, meter or metre, liter or litre, saber or sabre, and fiber or fibre.

It’s important to choose one type of English and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
Is it musical theatre or theater?: Theatre and theater are different spellings of the same noun. Its spelling depends on the type of English you use.

In British English, “theatre” is standard.

In American English, “theater” is correct.

This is also true for similar words, such as center or centre, meter or metre, liter or litre, saber or sabre, and fiber or fibre.

It’s important to choose one type of English and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
How do you pronounce theatre or theater?: Theatre and theater are two spellings of the same noun.

Theatre is standard in British English.

Theater is standard in American English.

They’re both pronounced [thee-uh-ter], despite the difference in spelling. However, the pronunciation may vary slightly depending on regional dialect. For example, in American English, the final syllable may be pronounced with a “d” sound instead of a “t” sound: [thee-uh-der].

It’s important to choose one type of English and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
Is it cancelled or canceled in AP style?: Cancelled and canceled are two correct spellings of the past tense verb “to cancel.” However, AP style advises to use canceled, with one “l”, because this is common in American English.

It’s important to choose one and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
What’s the difference between cancelled and canceled?: There’s no difference in meaning between cancelled and canceled; they’re just two different spellings of the same word, the past tense of the verb “cancel.”

Cancelled (double “l”) is the standard spelling in British English, canceled (single “l”) in American English.

Make sure to pick the spelling appropriate to the context you’re writing in and stick to it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
What is a synonym for aging?: Synonyms for the adjective aging include:

maturing

deteriorating

senior

Synonyms for aging when it is used as the present participle (e.g., “He is aging”) include:

Growing older

Advancing in years

Showing signs of age

Use the QuillBot Paraphraser to discover alternatives to the adjective “aging” in your specific context.
How do you spell aging?: Both “aging” and “ageing” are two acceptable spellings for the word that describes something as getting older or deteriorating.

In American English you spell it “aging.” In British English you spell it “ageing.”

You can use the QuillBot Grammar Checker to help you make the correct choice for your variety of English when faced with spelling variations like this.
Is it bank cheque or check?: It depends what country you are in! In the United Kingdom, the noun meaning a piece of paper printed by a bank that allows you to buy something or pay someone is spelled cheque. In American English, it is spelled check.

In every other use of check as either a noun or verb, the spelling is the same in American and British English.

You can use the QuillBot Grammar Checker to ensure you use check and cheque correctly.
Is it cheque or check in the USA?: In the USA, it is always check. British English uses cheque to refer to the personalized money order you use to purchase things or pay people.

For every other use in both British and American English, check is the correct spelling.

The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you check your spelling of check or cheque.
Is it checking account or chequing account?: In the US, a bank account that issues a checkbook is a checking account. The equivalent account in the UK is called a current account, and it usually comes with a chequebook.

The spelling of check for every other meaning is the same in American English and British English.

You can make sure your spelling of check or cheque is correct using the QuillBot Grammar Checker.
What does acknowledgement mean?: Acknowledgement is a noun that means “recognition” (e.g., “Phil’s bonus was in acknowledgement/recognition of his successful campaign”).

Acknowledgement is spelled differently in British English (acknowledgement) and American English (acknowledgment).

If you are following a style guide, then make sure you use the correct form. If you are not following a guide, then the important thing is to be consistent in your use of British or American spellings.

The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you maintain consistent spelling in your writing.
Is it 24 carat or 24 karat gold?: In American English, the usual spelling is karat, although carat is also acceptable. In British English, the measurement of the purity of gold is spelled carat.

You can use the QuillBot Grammar Checker to ensure your spelling of carat/karat is correct.
Is caret a word?: Yes, caret is a word. It is the name for this symbol: “^”. It is used in the publishing industry to indicate where an insertion needs to be made. It is sometimes written in subscript: “^”.

Although it is pronounced the same, its meaning is not related to carat or karat, which are terms used to measure gold and gemstones.

You can use the QuillBot Grammar Checker to ensure you use words like caret correctly.
How big is a carat?: A carat is equivalent to 200 milligrams. It is a measurement used to describe the mass of diamonds. A common mistake is to think that it describes the dimensions of a gem, but this is not the case.

In British English, carat is also used to describe the purity of gold. In American English, it is usually spelled karat. In both cases, 24 carat/karat gold refers to 100 percent pure gold.

The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you ensure you are using the correct spelling of carat/karat.
What does crying over spilled milk mean?: The full saying, “There’s no use crying over spilled milk,” means that we shouldn’t waste time regretting something that cannot be changed. There’s nothing that can be done once the milk is spilled except clean up and move on.

Spill is a regular verb in American English and irregular in British English. In American English, the simple past tense form and past participle are both spilled. British English shares the same past tense, but the past participle is spilt.

To make sure you have the right spelling of spilt or spilled, you can use the QuillBot Grammar Checker.
What does spill the beans mean?: When you “spill the beans,” you confess or share something that you know in confidence. It is somewhat informal and is unlikely to be used to describe, for example, betraying state secrets.

Caruthers spilled the beans about the location of the safe house.

Alan could never keep a secret and spilled the beans about the surprise party.

When you are using the past participle, bear in mind that it is spelled differently in American English and British English. In American English the past participle is spilled, and in British English it is spilt.
Is axe correct in American English?: Yes, axe is correct in American English, and is actually the more common spelling. However, some style guides require that it be spelled ax, so it is important to check.

And remember, being consistent is also important. Don’t switch between ax and axe. Choose one and stick to it.

Axe is a noun that describes a long-handled tool with a sharpened, wedge-shaped cutting head used to chop things (typically wood).

It is also a regular verb, describing the action of chopping with the eponymous tool.

To make sure you have the right spelling of ax or axe, you can use the QuillBot Grammar Checker.
What is a battle-axe?: A battle-axe or battleaxe (or, in the US, battle-ax) is traditionally an axe designed for use in battle. It is also a disparaging term for a woman who is seen as belligerent or bellicose. It is best avoided, seeing as it relies on a stereotype of a woman who is docile and gentle.

The battle-axe was used for many centuries across many cultures as a relatively cheap weapon that was simple to manufacture and could inflict devastating wounds.

The QuillBot Paraphrasing Tool can help you find alternatives to battle-axe to reflect your intended meaning.
What does axe to grind mean?: If you have an axe to grind, it means you are holding a grudge or want to pursue a particular agenda (e.g., “Everyone could see that John had come to the meeting with an axe to grind”).

Having an axe to grind is an example of an idiom, where the meaning of the phrase is not what it says literally.

You can imagine that in a situation where there is a line of people waiting to use a public grind wheel, someone who is waiting to grind their axe will be a little impatient and focused on getting the job done. This is having an axe to grind.

In American English, axe and ax are interchangeable, so you may see the expression spelled as ax to grind.
Is busses a word?: Busses is one of the two possible plural forms of the noun bus. It is also the third-person singular form of the verb bus. In both cases, the word can also be spelled buses.

In fact, most authorities suggest that in both British English and American English, the single “s” version is preferable.

There is also the somewhat rare American English verb buss meaning “kiss,” and busses is the third-person singular form of that verb.

To make sure you have the right spelling of busses or buses, you can use the QuillBot Grammar Checker.
What is the past tense of bus?: Bus is a verb meaning “transport by bus” or, in the US, “clear tables in a restaurant.” The past tense has two possible spellings: bused or bussed.

In both British English and American English, bused is preferred, but neither is wrong.

You can check that you have the correct spelling of bussed or bused by using the QuillBot Grammar Checker.
What is the plural of bus?: The plural of the noun bus is either buses or busses. The usual spelling in both British English and American English is buses, although it is not incorrect if it is spelled busses.

You can check if busses or buses is the correct plural of bus by using the QuillBot Grammar Checker.
How do you spell buses?: Buses is the correct spelling of both the plural of the noun bus and the third person singular of the verb bus. In both British English and American English, busses is a less common but still acceptable variant.

You can use the QuillBot Grammar Checker to ensure you have the correct spelling of buses.
Is it analyzing or analysing?: The answer is that it depends on where your audience is. In American English, analyzing is the correct form (along with the infinitive analyze). In British English, the word is spelled analyse.

In British English you are free to use either spelling, as neither is considered wrong. But it is important to remain consistent, not just with the spelling of analyze/analyse but in your whole document.

In American English, analyse would be considered a misspelling.

You can ensure you have the correct spelling of analyzing or analysing with the QuillBot Grammar Checker.
How do you spell analyze in the UK?: In the UK, the preferred spelling is analyse. In British English, it can be spelled either way, but the preferred way is analyse. In American English, analyze is the only correct spelling.

It is important to remember to remain consistent. Only use one spelling of analyze/analyse, and use either American English spellings or British English spellings throughout your document.

The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you choose the correct spelling of analyze.
Is it flavoured or flavored?: In British English, the adjective is spelled flavoured, and in American English, it is spelled flavored. This is also the spelling for the simple past tense form and past participle.

The same is true of other forms of the verb flavour/flavor: flavours/flavors, flavouring/flavoring.

You can use the QuillBot Grammar Checker to ensure you have the correct spelling of flavour or flavor.
Is it flavourful or flavorful?: It depends on where your audience is located. In British English, the correct spelling is flavourful, and in American English, it is flavorful.

The “-our” or “-or” difference also holds true for the noun, verb, and adjective flavour/flavor, and all the forms of the verb (e.g., flavouring/flavoring).

The QuillBot Grammar Checker will help you to ensure that you have the correct spelling of flavour or flavor.
Is it neighborhood or neighbourhood?: It depends on where your audience is! In American English, the correct spelling is neighborhood, and in British English, it is neighbourhood.

It is important to maintain consistency with how words are spelled, so if your document uses American English spellings, it should apply to all words.

You can check if you have the correct spelling of neighborhood or neighbourhood with the QuillBot Grammar Checker.
Is it neighborly or neighbourly?: In American English, it is neighborly, and in British English, it is spelled neighbourly.

The two spellings of this adjective are not interchangeable—the American spelling is incorrect in British English and vice versa.

You can ensure you have the proper spelling of neighborly or neighbourly with the QuillBot Grammar Checker.
How do you spell neighbor?: Neighbor is the correct spelling in American English. In British English, it is spelled neighbour. It is one of a number of words ending in “-or” in American English that are spelled “-our” in British English.

Other words include:

color/colour

favor/favour

honor/honour

behavior/behaviour

savior/saviour

armor/armour

You can check if you have the correct spelling of neighbor or neighbour with the QuillBot Grammar Checker.
Is it exam center or centre?: In American English, it is exam center, and in British English, it is exam centre. That simply reflects how the word center/centre is spelled in the two different variants of the language. This difference is also seen in word pairs such as theater/theatre and meter/metre.

Center/centre is a noun that refers to the literal or figurative middle of something or, as in the case of “exam centre/centre,” to a building that serves a particular purpose.

As a verb, center/centre means “place or be in the middle or at the heart of something.”

You can use the QuillBot Grammar Checker to ensure you use center or centre correctly.
Is it data center or data centre?: In American English, the spelling is data center or datacenter, and in British English, it is data centre. This simply follows how the word center/centre is spelled in the US and UK. This difference is also seen in word pairs such as theater/theatre and meter/metre.

Center/centre is both a noun and a verb, and the spelling remains consistent for those two word classes.

As a noun, center/centre can be a physical place (e.g., “London is a center/centre for dance and the arts”), a description of a mathematical point (e.g., “The center/centre of a circle”), or a figurative place (e.g., “From the day he was born, Hugo has always been at the center/centre of our world”).

The QuillBot Grammar Checker can ensure you are using the correct American or British English spelling of data center/centre.
Is recognise a word?: Recognise is the more common British English spelling of recognize. It is considered incorrect in American English.

Most words that end in “-ize” are more usually spelled “-ise” in British English, although the Oxford University Press and Oxford English Dictionary prefer “-ize.”

Whichever way you spell it, recognise/recognize is a regular verb that means “identify something or someone that is already known” (e.g., “Hai wasn’t sure his teacher would recognise/recognize him after so long”) or “acknowledge someone’s efforts or achievements” (e.g., “The award was given every year to recognise/recognize the most community-minded student”).

You can select the regional variation in the QuillBot Grammar Checker to ensure you have the correct spelling of recognise or recognize.
What is the UK spelling of recognize?: In the UK, the more common spelling is recognise, although recognize is also correct.

In American English, only recognize is correct. In British English, it can be spelled either way, but make sure you choose one or the other and stick with it.

The QuillBot Grammar Checker lets you select American English or British English, so you can ensure that you have the correct regional spelling of recognise or recognize.
Is focussed correct in British English?: Yes, focussed is correct in British English (and American English), but it is more usual these days for the simple past tense and past participle of this verb to be spelled focused. This is also true for American English.

While it is acceptable to use either spelling, it is best to make sure you only use one in any document to maintain consistency.

You can change the language settings in the QuillBot Grammar Checker to ensure you have the correct US or UK spelling of focussed or focused.
Is it focussing or focusing?: It doesn’t matter whether you are using American English or British English because you can use both focussing and focusing in either variant. However, it is much more common to find the single “s” spelling, focusing.

This is also true for the simple past tense and past participle of the verb “focus.” This can be spelled focussed or focused, with the single “s” version also by far the more common form.

The QuillBot Grammar Checker has selectable language options to make sure you have the correct US or UK spelling of focussed or focused.
Is it councilor or counselor?: In American English, a councilor is someone who is a member of a council. A counselor is someone who gives counsel or advice or a legal representative.

In British English, these words are spelled councillor and counsellor, but the latter is not used to describe a legal representative or lawyer.

The QuillBot Grammar Checker has language settings to allow you to choose the correct region and make sure you have the correct spelling of councilor or counselor.
How do you spell counselor in British English?: Counselor is spelled counsellor in British English. It has the same meaning of “someone who gives counsel or advice,” but it is not used in the UK to refer to a lawyer or legal representative.

In a British court, you will be represented by a “solicitor,” a “barrister,” or, in Scotland, an “advocate.”

You can set the language region of the QuillBot Grammar Checker to ensure you have the correct spelling of counselor or counsellor.
Is aluminum the correct spelling in British English?: Aluminum is recognized as a variant spelling of the more common aluminium in British English.

Although it can be spelled either way, it’s usually wisest to use the preferred geographical spelling for your audience. And remember to use the spelling required by your institution’s style guide.

For instance, the APA Publication Manual requires aluminum, except when quoting a source text, whereas the Chicago Manual of Style recommends spelling according to whether you are following American English or British English spellings.

With the QuillBot Grammar Checker, you can select your language region preferences, so you can ensure that you have the correct spelling of aluminum or aluminium.
Is aluminium the correct spelling in American English?: Although aluminium is recognized in dictionaries as a variant spelling of aluminum, some style guides (e.g., APA) require the more common American English spelling, aluminum.

Generally, aluminum is the standard spelling in North America, while aluminium is prevalent in the rest of the English-speaking world.

The QuillBot Grammar Checker lets you select your language region so you can check if you have the correct spelling of aluminum or aluminium.
Is there a difference between mold and mould?: The only difference between mold and mould is that mold is the correct spelling in American English, and in British English it is spelled mould.

This is true of the verb and the noun. As a verb, mold/mould means “shape something or someone” or “become moldy/mouldy.”

The noun mold/mould means the physical object used to form something (e.g., plastic) into a specific shape, or it refers to the fungal growth found in damp places.

The QuillBot Grammar Checker has selectable language regions, so you can always be sure you have the correct spelling of mold or mould.
Is mold correct in British English?: No, mold is incorrect in British English. The correct spelling for both the noun and the verb is mould. Mold is the correct American English spelling.

This is also true for all related words such as mouldy, moulder, and the verb forms moulds, moulded, moulding.

You can choose different regional settings in the QuillBot Grammar Checker to make sure you have the correct spelling of mold or mould.
Is airplane correct in British English?: Airplane would be understood by users of British English, but it is likely to be considered an incorrect spelling or an “Americanism.” Although there is no difference in meaning between aeroplane and airplane, you should spell it to remain consistent with the spelling in the rest of your document.

The QuillBot Grammar Checker has selectable regional language options, so you can be sure you have the correct spelling of aeroplane/airplane.
What is the difference between aircraft and airplane?: An airplane (in British English, aeroplane) is one type of aircraft. But there are many other types, including helicopters, dirigibles, gliders, and microlights.

So, if you want to talk about flying vehicles in general, you could use aircraft, but for specific cases that are fixed-wing, powered aircraft, use airplane.
Is dialog box correct in British English?: Yes, dialog box is the correct spelling in both British English and American English for the pop-up window that appears in a computer application to communicate information to the user.

For all other uses of the word, it is spelled dialogue in British English. In American English, dialog is an accepted (but less common) variant of dialogue.

The QuillBot Grammar Checker has regional language settings, so you can make sure you have the correct spelling of dialog/dialogue.
Is it enrol or enroll?: In American English, the verb is spelled enroll. In British English, enrol is the correct spelling.

The third person singular form of the verb shares the same difference (e.g., “enrolls” in American English and “enrols” in British English). Other forms of the verb are spelled the same in both regions (e.g., “enrolling” and “enrolled”).

The noun describing the act of enrolling is spelled “enrollment” in American English and “enrolment” in British English.

You can set your desired language region in the QuillBot Grammar Checker to make sure you have the correct spelling of enrol or enroll.
Is it enrolled or enroled?: In both American English and British English, the answer is enrolled. However, the infinitive of the verb is different. In American English it is spelled enroll, and in British English enrol is the correct spelling.

The same spelling difference exists with the “-s” form (e.g., “enrolls” and “enrols”) and with the noun enrollment/enrolment.

The QuillBot Grammar Checker has selectable language regions, so you can be sure you are spelling enrolled correctly.
Is program correct in British English?: Yes, program is correct in British English when it refers to computers or IT. When used as a noun or verb referring to a schedule, list of events, or printed information about an event, the correct spelling is programme.

In American English, it is always spelled program, for all meanings and for both the verb and noun.

The QuillBot Grammar Checker has selectable regional settings, so you can be sure you have the correct spelling of program or programme.
Is it programed or programmed?: The correct spelling is programmed. This is true for both American English and British English.

In the world of computers and IT, the correct spelling of the infinitive form of the verb as well as the noun is always program.

In American English, the correct spelling in every context is program, but in British English, programme is used for all meanings apart from computing (e.g., “Don’t forget to buy your souvenir programme at the concert”). This is true for both noun and verb.

You can use the selectable regional settings in the QuillBot Grammar Checker to make sure you have spelled program or programme correctly.
How do you spell jeweler?: How you spell “jeweler” depends on whether you are writing in American English or British English. In American English, the noun for the craftsperson who works with or sells necklaces, rings, and bracelets is jeweler. In British English, it is spelled jeweller. The same regional difference applies to jewelry or jewellery.

You can choose your language region in the QuillBot Grammar Checker to make sure you are spelling jeweler or jeweller correctly.
Is it jeweler or jeweller?: In American English, it is jeweler, and in British English, it’s jeweller. In both cases, the noun refers to a craftsperson who makes jewelry or jewellery or a shop where such items are sold.

The QuillBot Grammar Checker lets you select regional language settings to make sure you have spelled jeweler or jeweller correctly.
What is a synonym for dependant?: Synonyms for the noun dependant include:

Dependent person

Child

Relative

Ward

On a related note, it matters if you spell it dependant or dependent; “dependant” is the British English spelling of this noun, and “dependent” is the American English spelling.

Have you tried out QuillBot’s free Paraphraser? You can use it to help you find the best synonym for “dependant” in your specific context.
What is a synonym for dependent?: Synonyms for the adjective dependent include:

Reliant

Beholden (to)

Contingent

Conditional

On a related note, if you can’t decide whether to spell it dependent or dependant, bear in mind that “dependent” is always correct in American English.

You can use QuillBot’s free Paraphraser to help you find the best synonym for “dependent” in your specific context.
What is a dependant?: A dependant is “a person who is reliant on you for their basic needs” (e.g., a child or relative whom you support financially).

This noun is spelled dependant or dependent; “dependant” is the British English spelling, and “dependent” is the American English spelling.

Have you tried out QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker? You can set it to your variety of English (US, UK, Canadian, or Australian English) when checking your text for typos.
What does fiberous mean?: Fiberous is a misspelling of the adjective fibrous, meaning “made up of fibre or fiber.” The misspelling probably arises because of the way the root word is spelled in American English (e.g., “fiber”).

The QuillBot Grammar Checker has selectable language regions to ensure you always have the right spelling of fibrous.
What’s the difference between trousers and pants?: In British English, trousers (or “a pair of trousers”) is the noun used for the item of clothing commonly called pants in American English. In British English, pants refers to underwear (and is short for “underpants”).

So, when referring to pyjamas or pajamas, British English speakers would say “pyjama trousers,” while American English speakers would say “pajama pants.”

The QuillBot Grammar Checker has selectable grammar regions, so you can always be sure you are using trousers or pants correctly in your writing.
Is it chilis or chilies?: The plural of chili is chilies. Chili is the most common spelling in American English for the spicy small peppers of the capsicum family. It is also spelled chile (plural chiles) in some areas of the US, and in British English the correct spelling is chilli (plural chillies).

The QuillBot Grammar Checker has selectable language regions to help make sure you always have the correct spelling of chilies or chillies.
Is tyring a word?: No, tyring isn’t a word. The confusion might arise because of the American English spelling of the noun tire referring to the rubber donut-shaped ring that is fitted to vehicle wheels (the British English spelling is “tyre”).

This is the same spelling as the verb “tire” meaning “make weary or become weary.” In this sense, “tire” is spelled the same in British English and American English. The correct present participle of this word is tiring.

The QuillBot Grammar Checker has selectable language regions, so you can easily make sure that you have the correct spelling of tiring.
What is a synonym of tire?: Tire can be a transitive verb meaning “make weary” (e.g., “Please stop! You are starting to tire me out!”) or an intransitive verb meaning “become weary” (e.g., “My legs began to tire after the half-way point of the race”).

Some synonyms for tire as a transitive verb include:

Weaken

Exhaust

Sap

Debilitate

Drain

Some synonyms for tire as an intransitive verb include:

Flag

Falter

Weaken

This is the same spelling as the American English spelling of the noun tire when it refers to the donut-shaped rubber ring on vehicle wheels (the British English spelling is “tyre”).

You can use the QuillBot Grammar Checker to easily check the correct spelling of tire, and it has selectable language regions to cope with variations like tyre.
Is it coziest or cosiest?: It depends whether you are using American English or British English. The American English spelling of the superlative form of cozier is coziest, and in British English it is spelled cosiest.

This is related to the spelling of the root word cozy/cosy, meaning “warm, comforting, and snug.”

The QuillBot Grammar Checker has selectable language regions, so you can always be confident that you have spelled coziest/cosiest correctly.
Is it cosier or cozier?: If you’re using American English spelling, then use cozier. For British English, then the comparative form of the adjective cosy is spelled cosier.

The root adjective is spelled cozy or cosy, depending on the variant of English. It’s spelled cozy in American English and cosy in British English. It means “warm, comforting, and snug.”

You can select your language region in the QuillBot Grammar Checker, so you can always be confident that you have spelled cozier/cosier correctly.
What is a synonym for backwards?: There are several possible synonyms for backwards, including:

In reverse

Back

In the opposite direction

Rearwards

Behind

You can spell the adverb either backward or backwards. There is some difference in prevalence between American English and British English, but in both cases it can be spelled either way.

The QuillBot Paraphrasing Tool is a useful way to find synonyms to ensure your writing doesn’t become repetitive.
Is it skeptic or sceptic?: In American English, skeptic is the correct spelling. In British English, you can spell it either skeptic or sceptic, although the latter is more favored in academic writing.

You can use the selectable language variants in the QuillBot Grammar Checker to make sure you have the correct spelling of skeptic or sceptic.
How is imagery different from description?: Imagery uses descriptive language to create sensory experiences for readers. It engages the senses of sight, sound, taste, smell, and touch, helping readers visualize scenes or feel sensations.

Description, on the other hand, is a broader term that includes detailed accounts of people, places, objects, or events. While it can use imagery, it does not necessarily create sensory experiences. Descriptions may present facts and focus on specific details without trying to evoke emotions.

For example, the sentence “The kitchen was small and cluttered with dishes in the sink” is a description, while “Dirty dishes crowded the sink, their porcelain edges crusted with yesterday’s meals, filling the kitchen with a stale, sour smell” includes imagery.
What is an example of imagery?: The sentence “She yawned and struggled to keep her eyes open” is an example of imagery. Instead of simply stating “She was tired,” an author can use descriptive language to show us how a character is feeling. This enables the reader to visualize the scene and empathize more with the character.

QuillBot’s free Paraphrasing Tool can help you vary your word choice to write more creatively.
What is the difference between a parable and an allegory?: The difference between a parable and an allegory lies in their purpose and complexity.

A parable is a brief and simple narrative used to illustrate a specific moral lesson or spiritual truth. Parables typically feature human characters facing moral dilemmas, and their intended message is clear-cut, such as “love your neighbor.”

An allegory, on the other hand, is a longer and more elaborate narrative where characters, events, and settings symbolically represent broader abstract ideas or moral principles. Allegories often explore complex themes like human nature, social systems, or political ideologies, and they typically require interpretation. A well-known example of an allegory is George Orwell’s Animal Farm, which critiques the dangers of totalitarian governments.
What is faulty parallelism?: Faulty parallelism refers to the lack of parallelism and the subsequent loss of clarity. It is a grammatical error that occurs when elements in a sentence that are meant to be similar are not expressed in the same grammatical form. For instance, if a sentence includes a list of actions, all items should be in the same grammatical form:

My hobbies are painting, swimming, and taking photos.

My hobbies are painting, swimming, and to take photos.
What is the difference between parallelism and repetition?: The main difference between parallelism and repetition is their focus and purpose.

Parallelism uses similar grammatical structures in phrases or clauses to create balance and clarity, making sentences easier to read. For example, “He likes swimming, hiking, and camping” illustrates parallelism.

Repetition is a broader term that includes figures of speech like anaphora and alliteration, emphasizing content and emotional impact. By repeating sounds, words, or phrases, it can highlight a point or create rhythm.

While all parallelism involves repetition, not all repetition follows a balanced structure. However, they can overlap, as seen in Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, where the repeated phrase “I have a dream” provides both rhythmic emphasis and structural balance.
What is an example of parallelism?: An example of parallelism is the phrase “Easy come, easy go.” Like many common sayings, its purpose is to be memorable, and this is achieved through parallel structure: both “easy come” and “easy go” follow the same structure of an adverb (“easy”) modifying a verb (“come” and “go”). This creates a symmetry which reinforces the idea of equivalence—that things gained easily are lost just as easily.
Why do writers use repetition?: Writers use repetition to make their words more memorable and impactful. It helps them emphasize key ideas, create rhythm, and build emotional resonance. By repeating certain phrases or concepts, writers can simplify complex ideas, making them easier to understand and remember.

Additionally, repetition creates patterns that connect different parts of their work. Whether in speeches, poetry, or prose, repetition reinforces the message and ensures it sticks in the audience’s mind.
What is a synonym for antithesis?: Synonyms for “antithesis” include “contrast,” “opposite,” “contradiction,” and “antipode.” These terms all convey the idea of opposition or difference, though their usage may vary slightly depending on the context. For example, “contrast” emphasizes comparison, while “contradiction” suggests incompatibility between ideas.
What is an antonym for antithesis?: Antonyms for “antithesis” include words that suggest sameness, including “similarity,” “agreement,” and “congruity.” In the context of philosophy, an antonym might be “synthesis” which implies a blending of ideas rather than their contrast.
How to pronounce adage?: There are two syllables in adage. The first syllable sounds like “ad,” rhyming with “mad.”

The second syllable is pronounced like “ij,” similar to the “idge” in “fridge.”

So, it sounds like “ad-ij” with the emphasis on the first syllable.
What is the difference between an idiom and an adage?: Idioms and adages are fixed expressions that are commonly recognized and used within a language, however the two should not be confused.

An idiom is an established phrase with a meaning different from that of its individual words. For instance, “give it a shot” means to try rather than literally to shoot something, and “slipped my mind” means to forget. Idioms are a form of figurative language often used to add color to communication.

Adages, on the other hand, are well-known sayings that have been used for a long time. They typically offer practical advice about ways to behave and live. Although they are usually literal, adages can also be metaphorical with a meaning that is easy to understand. For example, the phrase “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket” metaphorically advises against relying on a single plan or option.

In short, idioms are nonliteral expressions used in a variety of contexts, while adages are traditional sayings that convey practical wisdom.
What is connotative diction?: Connotative diction is the use of words in writing or speech that express emotions or ideas beyond their literal meaning. Writers choose these words for their associations and emotional resonance. For example, while “heart” denotes the vital organ that pumps blood, it connotes love, emotion, or courage. Connotative diction can influence how a text is perceived and interpreted by readers or listeners.