Confusing Words in English - Chapter 3 (Spelling Differences)

This is the third chapter in the "Confusing Words in English" series. This chapter exclusively focuses on many confusing pair of words which are basically the same words but their spellings differ because of the American and British differences in English language. You must have heard both words on many occasions but the key here is to know that what spelling is used by American and what is used by British.

Overview of the series - Confusing Words in English:

CHAPTER 1 contains some confusing pair of words including 'advice vs. advice', 'loose vs. lose', 'affect vs. effect', 'between vs. among' and 'principal vs. principle'.

CHAPTER 2 focuses on words with 'al' as prefixes. Chapter 2 contains 'All ready vs. Already', 'Altogether vs. All together', 'All right vs. Alright', 'Although vs. Though vs. Even Though' and 'Although vs. While'

CHAPTER 4 - CONFUSING WORDS IN ENGLISH:

1. AMONG vs. AMONGST:

Among vs. Amongst is a pair of confusing words which has no differences in their usages. Even if there would have been any difference, it has been blurred now. The only difference in their use is that:

Among is generally used by Americans, and Amongst is usually used by British people.

2. ANALYSE vs. ANALYZE:

Analyse vs. Analyze is another pair of English words which often confuse readers because of the s/z difference. Again, all the difference is of the British and American English. The key is here to know which ethnicity uses which one.

Analyse is generally used by British people and Analyze is used by American and Canadians.

3. CENTER vs. CENTRE:

Center vs. Centre is another confused pair of words because of the spelling differences. Both these words are correct and mean ‘middle of something’ or ‘a gathering place’.

Center is generally used by Americans.

Centre is generally used by British people.

Although, I once read that Americans use centre as the noun, and center as a verb (American speakers should confirm it.)

At some other place, I read that ‘Center´ is used exclusively for the synonym of ‘middle’ and ‘Centre’ is used as a point of a gathering place or spot. This is a common practice to use.

4. ORGANISATION vs. ORGANIZATION:

American and British people use this word with the s/z difference. It is important to know that, Americans use the ‘z’ word i.e. Organization, and British use the ‘s’ word i.e. Organisation.

5. LABOR vs. LABOUR:

There are many words in English language with an ‘ou’ and ‘o’ difference. Labour is used in British English and Americans, cutting down the u, write ‘Labor’. That infamous ‘u’ has been cut down in many words. Following are some words of the same type.

6. FLAVOUR vs. FLAVOR:

Again the difference is ‘u’. 'Flavour' is used by British people and ‘Flavor’ is used by American people.

7. COLOUR vs. COLOR:

'Colour' is used by British people and 'Color' is used by Americans.

8. FAVOUR vs. FAVOR:

'Favour' is used by British people and 'Favor' is used by American people.

9. HONOUR vs. HONOR:

'Honour' is used by British people and 'Honor' is used by American people.

10. AEROPLANE vs. AIRPLANE:

Here the difference is not of ‘u’. The difference is of ‘aero’ and ‘air’. British people often tend to use ‘aeroplane’, although Americans prefer to use ‘Airplane’.