English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB)
MORE DIFFERENCES IN GRAMMAR
- In British English, people use the present perfect to speak about a past action that they consider relevant to the present while American English uses past tense:
He isn’t hungry; he has already had lunch (British English).
He isn’t hungry; he already had lunch (American English).
2. British English prefers the modal verb “shall” for expressing obligation while American English uses other verbs such as “should” and “can”:
It’s hot in here. Shall I open the window (British English)?
It’s hot in here. Can I open the window (American English)?
British English uses “needn’t” while American English uses “don’t need to”:
I needn’t come with you to see him (British English).
I don’t need to come with you to see him (American English).
GAB
