10 grammatical nuances of American English you need to know about
'06.08.2020'
Source: Yandex Zen
“We have one language with the British, but we use it in different ways,” they say in the United States. Author of the blog "Tormentor of English" on Yandex Zen decided to talk about grammatical features of American English that are worth remembering.
It is no secret that there are a number of differences between British and American English. Today we will talk specifically about grammatical features.
1. In American English, Past Simple (instead of Present Perfect) is often used to give new information or announce a recent event:
I learned the poem by heart. May I recite it? - I learned the poem by heart. Can I declare it?
2. In American English form I have / I don't have / do you have? are used more often than traditional I've got / I haven't got / have you got?
I have a question, I don't have any idea about the answer. - I have a question, but I have no idea how to answer it.
3. Americans often use the infinitive (no particle to) in structures with insist, suggest / propose, recommend, demand (insist, suggest, recommend, demand), which is contrary to the rules of classical English grammar (shouldnt+ infinitive):
What do you suggest we do? - What do you suggest we do?
On the subject: Personal experience: how I studied English at an American college
4. Americans say the hospital, i.e. with the definite article.
Someone is in the hospital if he is injured. - Someone is in the hospital if he is injured.
5. Americans say "On a teаm" (in a team):
My friend is the best player on the team. - My friend is the best player on the team.
6. On the week-end or on week-ends:
See you on the week-ends! - See you at the weekend!
7. American English uses structure (to be) different than (differ from) and do not use different toas we are taught by the grammar of English (in the British version):
The film was quite different than what I expected. - The film was not at all what I expected.
On the subject: Why have you been learning English all your life, but can't learn: common mistakes
8. Americans say write someone (no particle to):
Please write me soon! - Write me please!
9. Some irregular verbs in American English are correct: learn (learned, learned), burn (burned, burned), dream, lean, smell, spell, spill and more
His mood has been spoiled. - His mood soured.
10. Second and third forms of the verb to get (got, got) - air in American English:
Your English has gotten much better since I last saw you. - Your English has improved a lot since the last time I saw you.
The original column was posted on the English TORTURER blog at Yandex Zen
ForumDaily Woman is not responsible for the content of blogs and may not share the views of the author. If you want to become the author of the column, write to us - [email protected].
