Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[RedRose]

What do you think of American English and Britsh English?

I often listen to some English stuff and watch English movies. some are British accent, and some are American accent. By contrast, Anerican accent sounds more intelligible and fair-sounding than British accent.

and speaking of English grammar, American English grammar is easier to learn than British one.

I don't know whether you guys have the same viewpoint or not.

anyway, I like American English.

[bud]

Red, what are some of the differences between AE grammar and BE grammar? I never noticed any, except to say that I think most Brits are more careful about their grammar than us Yanks.

Also, there are many dialects in both countries, and some vary widely in pronunciation. There are some dialects in both places that are very difficult to understand even for other native speakers. It's very interesting how the same language can be used and can sound so differently depending on where you are.

[mittari]

[bud]

Cool! Thanks, Mittari!

[RedRose]

[advoca]

Hey, everybody. I am not impressed with page Mittari suggested


(G.B.) Finnair have a flight to London today. (large collective nouns)
Could be used, I suppose but most Brits would say �Finnair has a flight��

G.B.) England have played well today, even if they lost.
This refers to a team, and nobody would be surprised to hear the same usage in the U.S. when referring to a team. The Nicks played well today, even if they lost. I doubt if Americans would say, America has played well today even if they lost.

(G.B.) The Government are acting like themselves again.
This is a clumsy sentence but it is unlikely any Brit would use it. Government is usually singular.

(G.B.) Have you got your grade in history yet?
You do not get grades in Britain. You get marks.

But remember, Red Rose, Bud wisely said that the differences are small. Few of us would notice the difference between Brit and American grammar. Do not bother your head about it. Just learn good grammar, period.

It is not correct to say Brit grammar is more formal than American. I think you mean that some Brits tend to use a more formal way of writing. But there are differences in American formal writing and informal writing too. Unfortunately you only seem to come across informal American writing.

[RedRose]

[mittari]

[bud]

I had heard before, but had forgotten, about the "Have you got..." vs. "Have you gotten..." difference. But the others are tiny differences, and some are not even true. So grammar is nearly the same between countries, but not always between dialects, though.

Still, I like the other kinds of differences between our versions of the language, as well as those of different dialects.

RedRose, you're doing very well learning by yourself. Keep on truckin'! (That's 30 year old slang for keep doing what you're already doing.)

[advoca]

mittari

Probably the best way to impress me is to use good English

[RedRose]