British vs American English: Key Differences for Academic Writers

British vs American English: Key Differences for Academic Writers

English is the dominant language of global scholarship, but the English used in academic and scientific writing is not uniform. The two most widely recognised varieties—British English and American English—share a core grammatical framework but differ in numerous aspects of spelling, vocabulary, phrasing and usage. For authors preparing manuscripts for publication, these differences matter. Journals often specify which variety they require, and even when they do not, inconsistency within a manuscript can lead to confusion, perceived carelessness or even editorial rejection.

The challenge lies not only in choosing one version but also in applying it consistently. Many scholars, including native speakers, blend features of both varieties unintentionally. This mixture is rarely acceptable in formal academic writing. Understanding the distinctions between British and American English therefore becomes an important part of preparing a polished, professional manuscript.

This extended guide explores the vocabulary and phrasing differences that most frequently affect scholarly authors. It explains why consistency is critical, provides detailed comparisons and offers guidance on selecting terms that will be understood by an international readership. The goal is not to promote one variety over the other but to empower authors to use whichever form they choose—or are required to use—with clarity, accuracy and confidence.

1. Why Spelling Consistency Matters

Most scholars are aware of basic spelling differences such as colour (British) versus color (American). These are among the most visible distinctions, and they appear frequently enough that authors can usually recall the correct form once they know which variety the journal prefers. However, spelling differences extend far beyond these obvious examples and can be surprisingly extensive.

Words ending in –our in British English typically appear as –or in American English: colour/color, favour/favor, behaviour/behavior. Verbs ending in –re in British English often become –er in American English, such as centre/center and metre/meter. British English tends to preserve older forms like programme, whereas American English simplifies to program except in specific contexts (e.g. “programme” is retained in software engineering in some British institutions).

One particularly confusing area is the use of –ise versus –ize. American English nearly always uses –ize (e.g. organize, prioritize), while British English permits both –ise and –ize. Although –ize spellings are historically British, many UK publishers prefer –ise today. Authors must therefore check each journal’s preferences. When guidelines do not specify, consistency remains the overriding priority; do not switch between analyse and analyze within the same manuscript.

Another area that surprises many authors is the divergence between British plough and American plow. Such distinctions may feel rare, but academic writing often draws on historical, agricultural or technical vocabulary where these forms appear. Becoming familiar with these patterns helps prevent accidental mixing.

2. Vocabulary Differences Affect Academic Meaning

Spelling is only one aspect of variation between British and American English. Vocabulary differences can have a direct impact on meaning, tone and reader comprehension. These differences occur across everyday terms, specialised vocabulary and even technical phrases used within particular disciplines.

For instance, British English uses mobile to refer to a portable telephone, whereas American English uses cell or cell phone. While both terms are widely understood today, subtle cultural preferences remain. Similarly, Britons travel by aeroplane, while Americans travel by airplane. A British student may hire a car, whereas an American student would rent one. When discussing fuel, British authors refer to petrol, while Americans almost always say gas or gasoline.

Academic contexts reveal additional contrasts. British universities refer to first-year students, while American institutions commonly use the term freshmen. A British student might say “I have got my degree,” whereas an American student is more likely to say “I have gotten my degree.” Even quantification differs: per cent in British English becomes percent in American English.

Although these differences sometimes seem small, they matter in academic writing because terminology often carries formal weight. A manuscript may appear inconsistent or stylistically uneven if it blends terms from both varieties. For example, using gotten in an otherwise British manuscript can appear jarring, while using per cent in predominantly American prose can create unnecessary inconsistency.

3. Phrasing and Grammatical Conventions

Beyond vocabulary, British and American English diverge in several idiomatic expressions, prepositional choices and stylistic tendencies. These differences often reveal themselves subtly, making them harder to identify but no less important.

A well-known example is the contrast between different from (British) and different than (American). Both forms are widely recognised, but authors must align their phrasing with their chosen variety. Other differences include preferences for collective nouns. British English often treats collective nouns as plural—“The team are preparing their report”—whereas American English typically treats them as singular—“The team is preparing its report.”

There are also variations in past participles. British English frequently uses learnt and dreamt, whereas American English standardises these as learned and dreamed. British English favours lit as the past tense of “light,” while American English allows both lit and lighted depending on context.

These patterns influence not only sentence structure but also tone. Sometimes the British version feels marginally more formal, while the American version feels more direct. In academic prose, the preference depends on the journal’s instructions and, when unspecified, on the author’s commitment to consistency.

4. Choosing Terms That Reach an International Audience

With the globalisation of scholarship, academic authors must consider not only whether British or American English is appropriate but also whether particular terms will be understood by an international readership. When vocabulary differs substantially, clarity should take precedence over strict regional preference.

For example, using mobile phone can avoid confusion between “mobile” and “cell.” Likewise, providing parenthetical explanation the first time a region-specific term appears—such as “petrol (fuel known as ‘gas’ in the US)”—helps prevent misinterpretation. This approach is particularly important in interdisciplinary work, where readers may come from very different linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

Many journals encourage clarity over strict regional conformity. Some even prefer internationally neutral vocabulary. When revising older writing for publication, authors should therefore review region-specific terms to determine whether neutral alternatives might be more accessible.

5. Avoiding Inconsistent Mixing of Varieties

One of the most common problems in manuscripts is inconsistency. An author may use colour in one chapter and color in another, or mix centre with meter or alternate between “first-year student” and “freshman.” Even small inconsistencies can distract reviewers and raise questions about the thoroughness of the revision process.

This is especially problematic when the linguistic inconsistency undermines the clarity of research. Inconsistent vocabulary may mislead readers about whether a term is used technically or informally. Inconsistent phrases may create uncertainty about whether the manuscript follows British or American conventions. Journals will often return manuscripts for this reason alone, even if the research itself is strong.

Before submission, authors should therefore proofread their work carefully—or work with a professional proofreader—to ensure complete adherence to a single variant of English and eliminate inadvertent mixes.

6. Revising Older Texts for New Venues

Many researchers repurpose older writing, such as unpublished articles, thesis chapters or conference papers, for new publication opportunities. When doing so, authors must ensure that the language variety used in the original text aligns with the expectations of the target journal or platform. A thesis written in British English may require substantial revision before being submitted to a US-based publication, and vice versa.

This revision extends beyond spelling changes. Vocabulary, phrasing, formatting and tone may also require updates. Authors revising older work often discover inconsistencies that were unnoticed at the time of writing but become more visible when adapting the text for publication. Making these adjustments carefully improves both clarity and credibility.

7. Working with Proofreaders to Ensure Consistency

Because the distinctions between British and American English are extensive and sometimes subtle, many authors find it beneficial to work with a professional proofreader. A subject-specialist proofreader can ensure that language use remains consistent throughout a long manuscript, that technical terms adhere to the expectations of the discipline and that phrasing supports clarity and precision.

Professional proofreading is especially useful for multilingual authors or those who have studied in one English-speaking country but now publish in another. A proofreader helps eliminate unconscious mixing of varieties and ensures the final manuscript meets international publication standards.

Final Thoughts

The coexistence of British and American English enriches the language but also poses challenges for academic and scientific authors. Understanding the differences—and using one variety consistently—improves clarity, protects scholarly credibility and aligns your writing with the expectations of journals and publishers.

Whether you choose to write in British or American English, the key is precision. Review vocabulary choices carefully, monitor your phrasing, revise region-specific terms when clarity requires it and ensure spelling conventions match the guidelines of your target publication. Doing so strengthens your manuscript, enhances readability and supports successful communication with international audiences.

If you would like expert support in ensuring consistency, clarity and linguistic accuracy, our journal article editing service and manuscript editing service can help refine your work for publication across diverse English-language venues.