Looking At American Spelling
Marion Field was Head of English in a large Comprehensive School for many years and is an examiner for GCSE English. She is the author of several language improvement books for writers.
American spelling differs from English spelling in a variety of ways. Frequently, nowadays, the American spelling is also given in English dictionaries and in some cases both spellings are now acceptable.
DOUBLING CONSONANTS - OR NOT
Before a suffix is added, the consonant is often not doubled.
Dropping the ‘I’ and the ‘p’
Look at the following examples. The ‘i’ and the ‘p’ are not doubled as they would be in English spelling.
English spelling |
American spelling |
annulled |
annuled |
annulling |
annuling |
cancelled |
canceled |
cancelling |
canceling |
handicapped |
handicaped |
handicapping |
handicaping |
kidnapped |
kidnaped |
kidnapper |
kidnaper |
kidnapping |
kidnaping |
panelled |
paneled |
quarrelled |
quarreled |
quarrelling |
quarreling |
signalled |
signaled |
signaller |
signaler |
signalling |
signaled |
travelled |
traveled |
traveller |
traveler |
travelling |
traveling |
worshipped |
worshiped |
worshipper |
worshiper |
worshipping |
worshiping |
The following root word appears in English dictionaries both with a single T and a double one although the usual English spelling is with a double T. However, when the suffix ‘-ment’ is added, the Americans use a double T while the English use only one.
Usual English spelling |
American spelling |
install |
instal |
instalment |
installment |
Usual English spelling American spelling install instal instalment installment
In the following words the rule is reversed. The English use a single ‘i’ while the Americans double it.
English spelling |
American spelling |
enrol |
enroll |
enthral |
enthrall |
instil |
instill |
Adding an ‘s’
In some cases an ‘s’ is doubled where the English word would retain the single consonant. In the following cases the American spelling is also accepted in some English dictionaries.
English spelling |
American spelling |
biased |
biassed |
biasing |
biassing |
focused |
focussed |
focusing |
focussing |
Adding ‘ful’
When ‘ful’ is added to a word that ends in ‘11’, the double consonant is usually retained in American spelling.
English spelling |
American spelling |
skilful |
skillful |
fulfil |
fullfil |
IGNORING THE DIPHTHONGS
The ignoring of the ‘ae’ and ‘oe’ diphthongs, pioneered by the Americans, is now becoming acceptable in some English words. The ‘a’ and the ‘e’ are dropped.
Original English spelling |
American spelling |
anaesthesia |
anesthesia |
anaesthetic |
anesthetic |
archaeology |
archeology |
diarrhoea |
diarrhea |
encyclopaedia |
encyclopedia |
faeces |
feces |
foetus |
fetus |
gynaecology |
gynecology |
manoeuvre |
maneuver |
mediaeval |
medieval |
paediatrician |
pediatrician |
paediatrics |
pediatrics |
palaeography |
paleography |
palaeolithic |
paleolithic |
The ‘ou’ diphthong is not used in the following words. The ‘u’ is dropped.
English spelling |
American spelling |
mould |
mold |
moult |
molt |
REMOVING THE HYPHEN
When the prefix ‘co-’ is used, American spelling does not usually include a hyphen even when the root word begins with ‘o’.
English spelling |
American spelling |
co-operate |
cooperate |
co-operation |
cooperation |
co-opt |
coopt |
co-ordinate |
coordinate |
co-respondent |
corespondent |
DELETING THE ‘U’
In American spelling the ‘u’ is usually removed if the English word ends in ‘our’.
English spelling |
American spelling |
behaviour |
behavior |
candour |
candor |
clamour |
clamor |
colour |
color |
demeanour |
demeanor |
endeavour |
endeavor |
favourite |
favorite |
flavour |
flavor |
glamour |
glamor |
honour |
honor |
humour |
humor |
labour |
labor |
neighbour |
neighbor |
rancour |
rancor |
rigour |
rigor |
savour |
savor |
succour |
succor |
valour |
valor |
vigour |
vigor |
USING ‘ER’ INSTEAD OF ‘RE’
A number of English words end in ‘re’ but the American spelling usually inverts the two letters.
English spelling |
American spelling |
calibre |
caliber |
centimetre |
centimeter |
centre |
center |
fibre |
fiber |
goitre |
goiter |
litre |
liter |
lustre |
luster |
manoeuvre |
maneuver |
meagre |
meager |
metre |
meter |
millimetre |
millimeter |
mitre |
miter |
ochre |
ocher |
reconnoitre |
reconnoiter |
sabre |
saber |
sceptre |
scepter |
sombre |
somber |
spectre |
specter |
theatre |
theater |
USING ‘S’ INSTEAD OF ‘C’
A number of words ending in ‘ce’ are often spelt ‘se’ in America.
English spelling |
American spelling |
defence |
defense |
offence |
offense |
pretence |
pretense |
vice |
vise |
LOOKING AT OTHER WORDS
There are a number of other words where American spelling differs from English. Look at the following examples.
English spelling |
American spelling |
aluminium |
aluminum |
analyse |
analyze |
catalogue |
catalog |
cheque |
check |
curb |
kerb |
dialogue |
dialog |
dived (past tense of dive) |
dove |
got |
gotten |
gauge |
gage |
jewellery |
jewelry |
omelette |
omelet |
paralyse |
paralyze |
to prise open |
to prize open |
privilege |
privelege |
programme |
program |
pyjamas |
pajamas |
speciality |
specialty |
tyre |
tire |
Changing the words
There are also a number of words which are different in America from England. Look at the following examples:
English word |
American word |
autumn |
fall |
bill |
check |
biscuit |
cookie |
caretaker |
janitor |
crisps |
chips |
cupboard |
closet |
curtains |
drapes |
drawing pin |
thumb tack |
dustbin |
garbage can |
ex-directory |
unlisted |
flat |
apartment |
hair grip |
bobby pin |
holiday |
vacation |
ill |
sick |
lift |
elevator |
lorry |
truck |
nappy |
diaper |
number plate |
license plate |
off-licence |
liquor store |
pavement |
sidewalk |
petrol |
gas |
post |
|
pram |
baby carriage |
railway |
railroad |
roundabout |
traffic circle |
shop assistant |
sales clerk |
somewhere |
someplace |
sweets |
candy |
tap |
faucet |
tin |
can |
trousers |
pants |
underground |
subway |
windscreen |
windshield |
zip |
zipper |
CONCLUDING THE CHAPTER
You will see that there are a number of differences. Some are now acceptable for English spelling but if you are unsure about the usage it is safer to use the traditional English spelling. Some American words are also commonly used.
