BASIC DIFFERENCES BETWEEN BRITISH AND AMERICAN SPELLINGS

English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB)

BASIC DIFFERENCES BETWEEN BRITISH AND AMERICAN SPELLINGS

1. Br. English uses s in spelling verbs while Am. English uses z:
   criticise/criticize
   Analyse/analyze
   Organise/organize
2. Br. English doubles consonants while Am. English prefers the single consonant:
   Labelling/labeling
   Traveller/traveler
   Programme/program
3. Br. English uses “re” while Am. English prefers “er”:
   Centre/center
   Fibre/fiber
   Metre/meter
4. Br. English uses ‘our” while Am. English uses ‘or”
   Favour/favor
   Labour/labor
5. Most importantly, British say ground floor while Americans call the ground floor first floor.
   When you’re invited to the 4th floor by anyone, be sure of whose English is being spoken.

Finally, both varieties are allowed in Nigeria for any official writing. However, consistency is important. Some words should not be spelt using the British variants and others in American.
GAB