Learn the differences with adjectives and adverbs in American and British English grammar. This article aims to help American and British English language learners understand the differences between adjectives and adverbs in English grammar. In previous lessons, we learned about these topics:
In this section, we are going to cover the next chapter that is going to help you to know the differences between Adjectives and Adverbs in in both American and British English grammar. We will cover the usage of the adjectives and adverbs word in both accents that will help us to momorize the difference easily. Let’s learn together…
Differences with Adjectives and Adverbs
1. Well, ill, etc
The adjectives well, fine, ill and unwell referring to health usually come in predicative position.
GB/US: Our secretary is ill.
But they can be attributive, especially in America.
Mainly US: an ill man.
NOTE:
Sick and healthy can go in both positions. In Britain, to be sick means to vomit, to bring up food.
GB: Trevor’s daughter was sick all over the carpet.
2. Adjectives and Adverbs
In informal speech, we can sometimes use an adjective form instead of an adverb. Americans do this more than the British.
GB/US:
- That was really nice of her.
- It certainly is raining.
Mainly US:
- That was real nice of her.
- It sure is raining.
3. Somewhere and Someplace
In informal American English, everyplace, someplace, and noplace can be used as well as everywhere, somewhere, and nowhere.
- GB/US: Let’s go out somewhere.
- US only: Let’s go out someplace.
Examples of Differences in Adjectives Between American and British English
In this section, we will learn the differences in adjectives between American and British English with the help of examples and sentences. Here, we will learn the spelling differences like: travelled and traveled, etc. and many more usages of the English adjectives in both American and British English. Let’s learn the differences in American and British adjectives…
1. Spelling Differences
- GB: Travelled, cancelled, labelled
- US: Traveled, canceled, labeled
2. Usage Preferences
- GB: Cleverer, quieter, friendliest
- US: More clever, more quiet, most friendly
3. Word Choice and Meaning
- GB: He is ill.
- US: He is sick.
4. Formality Levels
- GB: He is quite tired.
- US: He’s really tired.
5. Regional Variations
- GB: She lives in a homely cottage. (meaning “cozy”)
- US: She has a homely appearance. (meaning “unattractive”)
Examples of Differences in Adverbs Between American and British English
This section covers the wide range of differences in adverbs between American and British English. Here, we will learn about the differences of adverbs with spelling, usage, word choice and meanings, formality levels, and regional variations in both American and British English with the help of examples. Learning these differences helps us to know the basic and advanced level of the usage of these accents in English. I know you are looking for some more easy ways to learn these differences. But you can check ours’ method to see how we are providing the method to learn these differences between American and British English. Please check the below method…
1. Spelling Differences
- GB: Publicly, accidentally, generally
- US: Publicly, accidentally, generally
2. Usage Preferences
- GB: She nearly always arrives on time.
- US: She always nearly arrives on time.
3. Word Choice and Meaning
- GB: He drives quite fast.
- US: He drives pretty fast.
4. Formality Levels
- GB: He answered quite promptly.
- US: He answered pretty quickly.
5. Regional Variations
- GB: He lives near. (meaning “close by”)
- US: He lives nearby.
American and British English Example Sentences with the Use of Adjectives and Adverbs
Here are the listed example sentences of American and British English with the use of Adjectives and Adverbs in English. These differences help us to memorize the usage of American and British English adjectives and adverbs. Let’s learn together…
| British English | American English |
| She travelled to London last year. | She traveled to London last year. |
| The movie was the most frightening I’ve ever seen. | The movie was the scariest I’ve ever seen. |
| The weather is quite cold today. | The weather is pretty cold today. |
| He cancelled his appointment. | He canceled his appointment. |
| She was more clever than her classmates. | She was cleverer than her classmates. |
| He lives in a homely cottage. | He lives in a cozy cottage. |
| He answered quite quickly. | He answered pretty quickly. |
| He nearly always finishes his work on time. | He almost always finishes his work on time. |
| They labelled the packages carefully. | They labeled the packages carefully. |
| The team is the most determined I’ve ever seen. | The team is the most motivated I’ve ever seen. |
