Appendix 5

American English

 

 

There are a few grammatical differences between British and American English:

 

Unit 13 In American English the past simple is often used to give new

information or to announce a recent happening:

- I lost my key. Can you help me look for it?

 

The past simple is used with just and already:

- I'm not hungry. I just had lunch.

- `Don't forget to post the letter.' `I already posted it.'

 

Unit 15b Americans use the past simple with yet:

- I didn't tell them about the accident yet.

 

Unit 24a In American English the forms I have / I don't have / do you

have? are more usual than `I've got / I haven't got / have you

got?':

- We have a new car.

- Do you have any change?

 

Unit 35b Americans often use the infinitive (without to) in structures

with insist/suggest etc.:

- They insisted that we have dinner with them.

- Jim suggested that I buy a car.

This structure is also used in British English.

 

Unit 75a Americans say `the hospital':

- The injured man was taken to the hospital.

 

Unit 104d Americans say `on a team':

- He's the best player on the team.

 

Unit 108a Quite is not often used with this meaning in American English.

In American English quite usually means `completely' as in

section c.

 

Unit 114d Americans say `on the week-end / on week-ends'.

 

Unit 124 In American English `different than' is also possible.

`Different to' is not used.

 

Unit 127 Americans say write someone (without to):

- Please write me soon and tell me how you are.

 

Appendix 2.2 These verbs (burn, learn etc.) are normally regular in

American English: burned, learned etc.

 

Appendix 2.4 The past participle of get is gotten in American English:

- Your English has gotten much better since I last saw you.

 

Appendix 3.5,Note the American spelling of these words:

traveling, traveled canceling, canceled