British English vs. American English Pronunciation

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American English Pronunciation Course


American English is different from British English in pronunciation and vocabulary! Let’s compare some words with American pronunciation and British pronunciation. This lesson will teach you some of the major differences (although there are some variations depending on what region of the country the speaker is from).

Differences in Stress in British and American English

Listen to the difference – first in British English, then in American English

  • adult
  • ballet
  • brochure
  • garage
  • vaccine
  • advertisement
  • hospitable

Some Words Ending in -ILE are Different in British and American English

  • agile
  • fertile
  • hostile
  • mobile
  • versatile

In some words, the letter “A” is pronounced differently in British and American English

  • bath
  • laugh
  • class
  • chance
  • ask
  • after
  • can’t
  • example

The sound of “R” is stronger in American English

  • hard
  • were
  • ear
  • pure
  • more
  • chair
  • bar

The -IZATION ending is different in British and American English

  • civilization
  • organization
  • authorization
  • globalization

The verb form, globalize, is pronounced the same in both British and American English. But British English maintains this same pronunciation in the noun form – globalization – while American English changes the sound of the letter “i.”

The letter “T” in the middle of a word can be pronounced like a fast “D” in American English

  • better
  • water
  • hated
  • writing
  • bottom
  • native
  • artificial
  • notice

Hope you enjoyed this lesson on American English pronunciation vs. British English pronunciation! Make sure to check out our lesson on British vs. American English vocabulary, too.

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