Episode 94
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We all know that American and British English sound different most of the time. But did you know there is also a difference in vocabulary?
That’s right. There are spelling, vocabulary, and even specific grammar differences between the two.
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Last week we started with a series of vocabulary differences between American and British English. Today we will continue this series; if you didn't listen to last week's episode, you might want to do so right now.
And with a point of view story, you’re going to compare the different grammar points. It’s the perfect way to learn grammar and new vocabulary without memorizing.
Ok! Let’s start!
I’m going to tell you a word in American English, and I’ll ask you to guess what would be the equivalent word in British English.
1)Truck In American English, with use the word truck when we refer to a large, heavy road vehicle used for carrying goods, materials, or troops.
Can you guess the equivalent in British?
Yes! In the United Kingdom, people use the word lorry.
American-truck
British- lorry
2)After washing the dishes, we use a dish towel to dry the dishes.
Can you guess which word is used in British English?
That’s right. People call it "tea towel" or "tea cloth" in the UK.
American-dish towel
British- tea towel or tea cloth
3) In the States, people live in an apartment.
Do you know the word in British English?
Yes. That’s right. In British, they use the word flat.
American-apartment
British- flat
4) I live on the first floor and my neighbor on the second floor.
Simple. Right?
Not really. Let me explain why.
The equivalent in British for the "first floor" would be the "ground floor."
The second floor in British is called the first floor.
Confusing!! Right?
So let me repeat the example in American.
American:
" I live on the first floor, and my neighbor on the second floor."
British:
" I live on the ground floor, and my neighbor on the first floor."
5) In American, we use the word zee to refer to the last letter of the alphabet.
What’s the word in British English?
That’s right. In British, they use the word zed.
American-zee
British- zed
6) At the end of each sentence, we usually use the word period.
"Period" is also used to indicate that a decision is irrevocable.
For example: "I forbid you to go to that concert, period."
What’s the word used in British English?
Exactly. In British English, they use the word full-stop.
American-period
British- full-stop
7) Did you know that your geographic area is identified by zip code?
Do you know how to say this in British English?
That’s right. In the United Kingdom, they call it postal code.
American-zip code
British- postal code
8) "What’s your timetable for tomorrow? When will you get some time to listen to the podcast?"
We use the word timetable to ask about someone’s plans or their availability.
Although in British English they use the word….
Schedule. In the UK, it’s more common to use the word schedule instead of timetable.
American-timetable
British- schedule
9) "I have made an error. Can I borrow your eraser?"
In American English, we use the word eraser when we want to erase something that we have written.
In British, they use a different word.
Can you guess?
Yep. In British English, they call it rubber.
American-eraser
British- rubber
10) "I’m tired. I can’t climb the stairs!! Let’s take the elevator!"
What’s the equivalent of the word elevator in British English?
That’s right. In British English, it’s called a lift.
American-elevator
British- lift
Speaking Practice
POV Story: Grammar in Context
Read the same story from different points of view and notice how grammar changes naturally.
First version
First Person · Past Tense
I’m Tom, and I’m an American. Last year I visited my best friend in London. When I arrived at my destination, it was raining cats and dogs, so I immediately sought refuge. I entered a store, hoping to buy a raincoat or even new clothes. I was completely soaked, so I wasn't surprised to see everyone staring at me. Since I felt uncomfortable, I tried to get some sympathy, so I told the salesman that my pants were very wet.
Surprisingly, I didn't get the answer I expected. Instead of showing compassion, the shop assistant started laughing out loud. I was very disappointed and felt humiliated. I expected Londoners to be much more polite. Later, however, when I told my friend what had happened, I felt even more ashamed. It turns out that in British English, the word "pants" means underwear.
I should have used the word trousers instead of pants.
Second version
Third Person · Past Tense
Last year, an American named Tom visited his best friend in London. When he arrived at his destination, it was raining cats and dogs, so he immediately sought refuge. He entered a store hoping to buy a raincoat or even new clothes. Tom was completely soaked, so he wasn't surprised to see everyone staring at him. Since he felt uncomfortable, he tried to get some sympathy, so he told the salesman that his pants were very wet.
Surprisingly, Tom didn't get the answer he expected. Instead of showing compassion, the shop assistant started laughing out loud. Tom was very disappointed and felt humiliated. He expected Londoners to be much more polite. Later, however, when he told his friend what had happened, he felt even more ashamed. It turns out that in British English, the word "pants" means underwear.
Poor Tom! He should have used the word trousers instead of pants.
Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you in the next episode.
Review
Vocabulary from This Episode
Review the most useful words and expressions before listening again.
01 truck / lorry
a large vehicle used for transporting goods.
05 zee / zed
American and British names for the letter Z.
02 dish towel / tea towel
a cloth used for drying dishes.
06 period / full stop
the punctuation mark used at the end of a sentence.
03 apartment / flat
a home within a larger building.
07 zip code / postal code
a code identifying a geographic delivery area.
04 first floor
the floor at street level in American English.
08 eraser / rubber
a small object used to remove pencil marks.
It’s a very powerful way to get learning.
I really love your method so much , Point of view story is amazing and ofcourse, quite efficient.