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How to understand the differences between British and American English

Learn some common words that are used differently in British and American English.



Man: Hey! Nice pants!

Woman: Excuse me?

Man: I said, 'nice pants'.

Woman: You can't see my pants, can you?

Man: Of course I can.

Woman: How can you see my pants?

Man: They're on your legs!

Woman: Ha. You haven't been to America recently, have you?

Man: Oh, I, er, have, actually. I've just got back from LA! That's 'Los Angeles' by the way.

Woman: I know.


Woman: Well, we call these 'trousers' in Britain.

Man: Of course we do. You know there are so many things, though. It's like a completely different language sometimes!

Woman: Really?

Man: Yeah!

Woman: Would you like a crisp?

Man: Crisps? In the States, they're 'chips'!


Man: French fries!

Woman: I see.

Man: And you know what that is, don't you?

Woman: A fizzy drink.

Man: That's a 'soda'!

Woman: Hmm …

Man: You know the lift over there?

Woman: Yeah?

Man: That's an 'elevator'.

Woman: Oh really?

Man: You know in the States, you don't go to watch a film ...

Woman: You watch a 'movie'!

Man: Exactly! And you don't walk on the pavement ...

Woman: You walk on the 'sidewalk'!

Man: You got it!

Woman: I've watched a lot of films ... oops ... movies!



Language level

Intermediate: B1


Hi teacher!

Yes. I know some.

I really enjoy this series. Thanks team!!! I'm improving my English because of it.

British people have strong accent American pronouce words faster and easier. They also prnounce some words completely different words like: can't, talk, fast,water.
For me it is more difficult to talk British English, because all the time I l've learned American English and I mostly watch American movies an Series, though I watched some beautiful movies and series in Biritish accent like Harry Potter, Game of thrones.
It is very difficult for a non-English person to realise the difference between these words. I always can realise British and American English from the accent of people
American and British English are very different, but they are the same as many point of views, when I learn an American phrase I don't know if it ok to use in British too or vice versa! some words are totally different like: movies which is Cinema in British or Theater which is Theatre in British.
There are British words like Blimey. that I don't know if it is O.K to use in American English and There are many American English that I don't know if we can use them in British too. some of these espressions are"
'keep me in a loop' ' get something off my chest' ' have enough on my plate', etc , thank's if anybody help.

Thanks a lot it is really helpful

I liked the video. Thanks.

Hi Kirk
Is is alright to use both American and British English at the same time?

Hello ishrat Bashir,

That really depends on the context and what your purpose is. In any case, the differences are mostly minor so often it's not even an issue.

All the best,
The LearnEnglish Team

alright, find it.

It's great to be here. I got the idea of the video but I had some difficulty in some words.
Can't I find the subtitle for this video ???