There are some cases that US and GB English are different in grammar. The following instances should be noted:
In some cases, Americans (US) use a simple past tense where British men (GB) use a present perfect.
US: She just left her office.
GB: She’s just left her office.
In some cases, Americans (US) use a simple past tense where British men (GB) use a present perfect.
US: She just left her office.
GB: She’s just left her office.
US people use the verb, ‘Have’ a little bit different from GB men in certain cases.
US: Do you have a driving license?
GB: Have you got a driving license?
US: Do you have a driving license?
GB: Have you got a driving license?
The US past participle of the verb, ‘Get’ is ‘Forgotten’; where it is ‘Got’ in British English. There are also some other irregular verb forms of US and GB English that are a little different.
US: They have never gotten to know her.
GB: They have never got to know her.
US: They have never gotten to know her.
GB: They have never got to know her.
The subjunctive is much more common in US than in GB.
US: It is essential that they be informed.
GB: It is essential that they should be informed.
US: It is essential that they be informed.
GB: It is essential that they should be informed.
Sometimes, US people use ‘His’ where the GB men say, ‘One’s’.
US: One should be aware of his rights.
GB: One should be aware of one’s rights.
US: One should be aware of his rights.
GB: One should be aware of one’s rights.
US speakers would just say, ‘I have; I can; I might’ where GB speakers often say, ‘I have done; I can do; I might do, etc.
US: Fill in/out a form, protest something, stay home, visit with somebody, do something over, check something out, Monday through Friday…
GB: Fill in a form, protest against something, stay at home, visit somebody, do something again, check something, Monday to Friday…
US: Fill in/out a form, protest something, stay home, visit with somebody, do something over, check something out, Monday through Friday…
GB: Fill in a form, protest against something, stay at home, visit somebody, do something again, check something, Monday to Friday…
In the use of prepositions and adverb particles, there are many small differences.
In informal speech, US people use ‘Like’ in many cases where most GB men would prefer ‘As’ or ‘As if’. Americans sometimes use adverb forms without ‘-ly’.
US: It looks like it is going to rain.
GB: It looks as if it is going to rain.
US: She looked at me real strange.
GB: She looked at really strangely.
US: It looks like it is going to rain.
GB: It looks as if it is going to rain.
US: She looked at me real strange.
GB: She looked at really strangely.
