Got vs Gotten: American, British and Australian Usage
Got vs gotten: Americans use gotten as a past participle in many senses; British and Australian English mostly use got. See the rules, examples and a quiz.
Colour or color, organise or organize, tyre or tire? Spelling and vocabulary change as you cross the Atlantic or the equator. These guides show exactly what is standard in the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia, explain why the differences exist, and tell you which form to choose for school, work or an international audience.
Got vs gotten: Americans use gotten as a past participle in many senses; British and Australian English mostly use got. See the rules, examples and a quiz.
Learned vs learnt: both are past forms of learn. Americans use learned; British and Australian English accept both. Rules, pronunciation, examples and a quiz.
Spelled vs spelt: Americans write spelled; British and Australian English use both, with spelt very common. Plus spelt the grain, examples and a short quiz.
Colour is the British and Australian spelling; color is American. Same word, same meaning. See country rules, derived forms, 24 examples and a quick quiz.
Gray is the usual American spelling; grey is standard in the UK and Australia. Learn the exceptions, fixed names like greyhound, 22 examples and a quiz.
Traveling is American; travelling is British and Australian. Learn the double-L rule behind it, which verbs it affects, 24 examples and a short quiz.
Canceled is the usual US spelling; cancelled is standard in the UK and Australia. Learn why cancellation keeps two Ls everywhere, plus examples and a quiz.
Organize is American; organise is common in the UK and standard in Australia. Learn Oxford spelling, the -ise/-ize rule, word lists, examples and a quiz.
Center is the American spelling; centre is used in the UK, Australia and Canada. Learn the -re/-er rule, its exceptions, names, examples and a quick quiz.
Theater is the standard US spelling and theatre is British and Australian. Some Americans use theatre for live drama. Here are the facts, examples and a quiz.
In the UK and Australia, licence is the noun and license is the verb. In the US, license is both. Learn the rule, tricky phrases, examples and a quick quiz.
In the UK and Australia, practice is the noun and practise is the verb. In the US, practice is both. Learn the rule, a simple test, examples and a short quiz.