Should you use British or American English in IELTS?
Updated: July 2022
Some people are confused about whether to use British or American English in the IELTS test. The answer is that both types are fine. IELTS is not just based on British English, the IELTS listening test has various accents from English speaking countries around the world. You do not get a higher band score in the speaking section for using a British accent either.
In fact, your accent does not matter as long as the examiner can clearly understand you. If you prefer to use American English spelling or vocabulary in the writing section, then stick to that when doing the exam, don’t suddenly switch to using British English spelling or vocabulary and vice versa.
What are the differences between American & British English?
There are a few differences between the two but overall the language is very similar. The main differences are spelling, pronunciation, vocabulary and certain grammar structures. For example, the present perfect is used more often in British English.
For instance:
British English: “I’ve lost my keys. Have you seen them?”
American English: ” I lost my keys. Did you see them?”
Another example is the past participle of “got” ..In American English it is “gotten“
British English: ” Your English has got much better”
American English: ” Your English has gotten much better”
The word ” Take” is often used in American English, In British English the word “Have” is more common, See the examples below.
British |
American |
| Have a bath
Have a holiday Have a break Have a look Have a rest |
Take a bath
Take a vacation Take a break Take a look Take a rest |
Another difference is “Have you got…? “ and ” Do you have….? “ In British English we would say ” Have you got a car? “ But in America you would probably hear the phrase “Do you have a car?”
Below are some examples of spelling and vocabulary differences.
British Spelling |
American Spelling |
|
Colour Labour Honour Favourite Behaviour Neighbour Humour Centre Theatre Socialise Apologise Analyse Paralyse Travelling Skilful Fulfiling Defence Licence Programme Grey Tyre Aeroplane Whisky Aluminium Jewellery Pyjamas |
Color
Labor Honor Favorite Behavior Neighbor Humor Center Theater Socialize Apologize Analyze Paralyze Traveling Skilfull Fulfilling Defense License Program Gray Tire Airplane Whiskey Aluminum Jewelry Pajamas |
British Word |
American Word |
| Petrol
Car park Lift Biscuits The Bill (in a restaurant) Motorway Flat Return Ticket Lorry Railway Ground Floor Sweets Chips Mobile Phone Underground Chemist Tap Lawyer Rubbish Dustbin Secondary School Cupboard Nappy Angry Mad Toilet Post code Autumn Football Anti clockwise Zip Can (eg: a can of beer) Doctor’s surgery Torch |
Gasoline
Parking lot Elevator Cookies The Check Freeway Apartment Round Trip Truck Railroad First Floor Candy French Fries Cellphone Subway Drugstore Faucet Attorney Garbage Trash can High School Closet Daiper Mad Crazy Restroom Zip code The Fall Soccer Counter clockwise Zipper Tin (eg: a tin of beer) Doctor’s office Flashlight |
Any Questions?… leave a comment below.