Below is the list of grammar differences between American and British English that you should learn.
Present Perfect and Past Simple
“Do” for an action/ Tag questions
Group Nouns/ The
Other differences between British and American English
WILL OR SHALL
- British English:
Will or shall can be used with I/we:
E.g. I will/shall be late this evening.
The questions shall I…? and shall we…? are used to ask for advice, etc.
E.g.: Which way shall we go?
- American English:
Shall is unusual
E.g. I will be late this evening.
Should I…? and should we…? are used to ask for advice, etc.
E.g. Which way should we go?
NEED
- British English:
You can use needn’t (do) or don’t need to (do):
E.g. We needn’t hurry or We don’t need to hurry.
- American English:
Needn’t is unusual. The usual form is don’t need to:
E.g. We don’t need to hurry.
DEMAND
- British English:
After demand, insist etc. you can use “should”:
E.g. I demanded that he should apologies.
We insisted that something should be done about the problem.
- American English:
The subjunctive is normally used. “Should” is unusual after demand, insist etc.:
E.g. I demanded that he apologize.
We insisted that something be done about the problem.
Utterly useful! Thank you!