We all know that the history of English language goes to the time when Christopher columbus discovered America in 1492.
Though the 12 colonies;what is now called the United State of America, were under the role of England their accent,Grammar and some wordz differe for one and another.
Here r some grammatical difference:
THE
The British use the with a musical instrument
I can play the piano.
The British also say in hospital
My sister is still in Hospital
American can leave out the
I can play piano/play the piano.
American say in the hospital
My sister is still in the hospital
Present perfect and past simple
[British Eng. use the present perfect for recent actions,and espeacially with just,already and yet.
[Bob has washed the dishes,look.
We've already eaten our lunch.
Have you corrected your work yet?
They also normally use the present perfect With ever and never,NOT the past simple.
Have you ever played cricket?
The child has never seen snow before.
While,the American Eng. use EITHER the present perfect or past simple in these sentences.
Bob has washed the dishes
or
Bob washed the dishes,look.
We've already eaten our lunch
or
We already ate our lunch.
Have u corrected your work yet?
or
Did you corret your work yet?
Americans normally use the past simpl with ever and never but present perfect is POSSIBLE.
Did u ever play baseball?
or
Have you ever played baseball?
The child never saw snow before
or
The child has never seen snow before.
05-09-2006, 07:56 AM
American&British Grammar
