It has been said that Britain and North America are two countries separated by the same language.
How true do you think that is? And what do you think an American from New York thinks about the way I speak English as a native English speaker from London?
In this podcast, you’ll meet my friend Bill, an American. Together, Bill and I discuss some of the main differences in the way we both speak English.

Just one quick announcement before you listen to Bill and me, the next Conversation Masterclass course is starting soon! on the 16th of August. So if you hear this before August 16th and you want to improve your speaking fluency with me and a small group of lovely students, there are still some places left. Go to englishmasterclass.net and join the email list. I will contact you with more details.

And now, without further ado, here’s my conversation with Bill in which we talk about some grammar and idiom differences between British and American English.

American and British English differences

GRAMMAR DIFFERENCES

U2 is a good band. (US) / U2 is/are a good band. (UK)
My family is coming. (US) / My family is/are coming. (UK)
My team is playing tomorrow. (US) / My team are/is playing tomorrow. (UK)

You’re gonna go four blocks down the road (US) / Go down this road (UK)

Do you think I’ve gotten older?, Have I gotten older? (US) / Do you think I’ve got older? (UK)
GET-GOT-GOTTEN (US) / GET-GOT-GOT (UK)
I have a car. (US) / I’ve got a car. (UK)

I will send you an email tomorrow. (US) / I shall send you an email tomorrow. (UK)

Did I already ask you that? (US) / Have I already asked you that? (UK)

IDIOM DIFFERENCES

I wouldn’t touch that with a barge pole. (UK) / I wouldn’t touch that with a 10-foot pole. (US)

To sweep something under the carpet. (UK) / To sweep something under the rug. (US)

Touch wood. (UK) / Knock wood. (US)

To put a spanner in the works. (UK) / To throw a wrench into the works. (US)

A skeleton in the cupboard. (UK) / A skeleton in the closet. (US)

A drop in the ocean. (UK) / A drop in the bucket. (US)

I couldn’t care less. (UK) / I could care less. (US)

To take something with a pinch of salt. (UK) / To take something with a grain of salt. (US)

A storm in a teacup. (UK) / A tempest in a teacup. (US)

…and now it’s your turn to practise your English.
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Don’t forget my 6-week Conversation Masterclass course that’s starting on August 16th. For more details, Go to englishmasterclass.net and join the email list. I will contact you with more details.

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The music in this podcast is by Pitx. The track is called ‘See You Later’