No matter whether you are a new or seasoned writer spelling is something that you will always have to take note of. When you are writing for the web you need to ask the question, Is this for a UK or an American website? You might be wondering why, and the answer is because spelling and grammar differ depending on which audience you are writing for.

When I first started freelancing this was not something that I was aware of at first. I remember one client demanding revisions on an article that was completely error proof. When I questioned his revisions it was only then did it become apparant to me that spelling in the US is different to spelling in the UK.

Listed below are some of the most common spelling differences between the two languages.

American – British

aluminum – aluminium
analog – analogue
anesthesia – anaesthesia
archeology – archaeology
catalog - catalogue
center - centre
color  -  colour
defense - defence
dialog - dialogue
diarrhea - diarrhoea
encyclopedia - encyclopaedia
favorite -  favourite
gray - grey
gynecology - gynaecology
hauler - haulier
hemoglobin - haemoglobin
honor - honour
humor - humour
jewelry - jewellery
license -  licence
maneuver - manoeuvre
meter - metre
mold - mould
mustache - moustache
neighbor – neighbour
omelet - omelette
practice - practise (verb)
program - programme
routing -  routeing
specialty - speciality
story - storey (In a building)
sulfur - sulphur
tire - tyre
vise - vice (a tool)

There are of course a lot more and you will probably find that most UK english words that end is ‘ize’ will most likely end is ‘ise’ in US spelling.  There are also words that we use in the UK that are completely different in American.  Words such as rubbish which is trash in America, chips which are fries in America, and so on.

The purpose of this article is to make writers aware of the differences and I am hoping that you will add your own words and spellings to the list so that I can then turn the complete list into a free downloadable PDF guide for all writers.

Until next time,

Amanda

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