American and British English share almost all of their grammar, but a handful of small differences instantly tell people where you learned. If you live or work in the US, use the American forms below; the British ones are still correct English, just not what Americans say.
The pattern
Your English has gotten so much better.
Did you eat yet?
The team is doing great.
01Verbs and tenses
Americans often use the past simple with just, already and yet, where British speakers prefer the present perfect. Both are correct in the US. The past participle of get is gotten (have got only means possess). Americans ask Do you have...?, use the base form after words like suggest and important, and almost never use shall.
| American (use this) | British |
|---|---|
| Did you eat yet? | Have you eaten yet? |
| I just got home. | I've just got home. |
| She's gotten a lot better at golf. | She's got a lot better at golf. |
| Do you have a minute? | Have you got a minute? |
| It's important that he be on time. | It's important that he is (or should be) on time. |
| Should I open the window? | Shall I open the window? |
02Groups are singular
Words for groups of people, like team, family, company, band, staff and government, take a singular verb in American English. British speakers often use a plural verb when they think of the individual people.
- The team is flying to Denver tomorrow. (British: the team are)
- My family lives in Ohio.
- The company has a new CEO.
- Our staff is small but amazing.
03Prepositions and small words
Many differences are just one small word. These are the ones Americans notice most.
| American (use this) | British |
|---|---|
| on the weekend, on weekends | at weekends |
| Monday through Friday | Monday to Friday |
| different from, different than | different from, different to |
| Write me when you land. | Write to me when you land. |
| in school, in college | at school, at university |
| on a team | in a team |
| in the hospital | no article |
| around the corner | round the corner |
04Which one should you use?
Pick one variety and stay consistent, especially in writing. If your coworkers, teachers or clients are American, go with the American column. And if a British friend says "have you got," don't correct them. They're right too.
05Common mistakes
She's got much better at tennis.
She's gotten much better at tennis.
In American English, the past participle of get (meaning become or receive) is gotten.
The team are playing well tonight.
The team is playing well tonight.
Americans treat group nouns as singular.
I play soccer in the weekend.
I play soccer on the weekend.
Americans say on the weekend or on weekends.
I suggest that he goes to the doctor.
I suggest that he go to the doctor.
After suggest, recommend or insist, formal American English uses the base form.