We Americans may use the same language as the Brits, but if you've ever spoken with one (or watched The Crown), you know there are subtle differences in their version of English — in vocabulary, in pronunciation, and, yes, in spelling.
There's nothing wrong with either country's manner of spelling, but you should use the spelling of the one where you live.
Even Google Docs gets it. Try writing “travelled” if your document locale is set to American English, and it'll give you the ol' red squiggly line: Did you mean “traveled”?
One possible exception to this rule is poetry. I had a college classmate who insisted on using “grey” in her poems because it looked prettier. Honestly, I get it.
But if you're an ecommerce store in America? You gotta go with “gray.” Sorry.
Here are the major differences between American vs British spelling:
- Words ending in “or” vs “our”
- American: color
- British: colour
- Verbs ending with “ize” vs “ise”
- American: apologize
- British: apologise
- Verbs ending with “yze” vs “yse”
- American: analyze
- British: analyse
- Verbs ending in a vowel plus “l”
- American: traveled
- British: travelled
- Nouns ending in “ense” vs “ence”
- American: defense
- British: defence
- Nouns ending in “og” vs “ogue”
- American: catalog
- British: catalogue
- Words ending in “er” vs “re”
- American: theater
- British: theatre
- Words ending with a silent “e”
- American: grill
- British: grille
- Other spelling differences
- American: donut; British: doughnut
- American: gray; British: grey
- American: check; British: cheque
Also, this is more usage than spelling, but another pet peeve of mine: If you live in America, say “toward,” not “towards.” That extra “s” is just unnecessary.
Pssst: Brits, I love you. I hope you all have a good sense of humo(u)r about this.
Bottom line: Don't use British spelling if you're an American (and vice versa). When in doubt, omit the extra letters.
With a wink,
Sarah 😘
