Is this site written in American English?

[Hip2thabone]

Hi there, I was wondering how come all of this site is in American English?
This has caused me a lot of problems, since I don't live in the United States.
I live in England.
Is there any chance of implementing any exercises for U.K residents like myself in proper English please?

[Beeesneees]

Hello Hip2thebone,

First of all, you need to make a distinction between 'American English' and 'British English' - not between 'American English' and 'proper English'.
English is an evolving language and one is not more 'proper' than the other, it just depends on which you are used to seeing.

I don't see why the differences would cause you 'a lot of problems' as they are usually rather small. Sometimes the American phrases used are not as familiar in Britain, but other than that, the only changes are a few spelling differences which should be obvious.

The simple fact is that many of the exercises were written by Americans. There are also some written by British scholars, but not as many. In this forum, you will find both British and American native speakers who will be able to help you sort out any of the minor differences.

Personally I would never use American spelling and phrases over British spelling and phrases - however, I'm happy to accept the differences on a level footing!

By the way... are you aware that your first sentence is more 'AmerEng' than 'BrEng'? "was wondering how come all of this site...' as opposed to 'was wondering why all of this site...'.
_________________
Cheers m' dears!

[Hip2thabone]

Thank you for replying!
It's because I'm studying level literacy.
I've gotten into some difficulties with my English teacher over some American words.
That's why I decided to post this topic.
But I would really appreciate it, if there were more exercises in English done by U.K students on this site.
I know it would help me in a big way.

[Beeesneees]

'I've gotten' - is also American usage.

In an ideal world your suggestion would be taken up immediately. Unfortunately such a time consuming and work consuming task is unlikely to come to fruition any time soon.

[Alan]

Hi Bev,

Had any thoughts about writing tests yourself in view of our friend's comments?

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[Beeesneees]

With a full time teaching job? Chance would be a fine thing!
_________________
Cheers m' dears!

[Our Tort System]

[Alan]

Hi OTS,

Couldn't agree more. I wasn't aware all that stuff I've written over the last 7 years for the site was in American English! Maybe it's another case of a Mon. Jourdain who discovers from his tutor that he's been speaking prose all his life. I think not.

Alan
_________________
English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Progressive Forms

[Beeesneees]

Hi Tort,

I suspect that most of Hip2thabone's time on 'the site' has been spent on the exercises, many of which do contain American contexts, slang, accents and spelling.
_________________
Cheers m' dears!

[Our Tort System]

[Hip2thabone]

Yes! You are quiet right about me spending time on doing exercises, which contain a lot of American words.
What exercises do you recommend I do on here please?

[Our Tort System]

[Beeesneees]

neither of those are exercises, though, are they, Tort! Hip2thabone is correct when he says there are more American exercises. I can see his point about that though I'm not sure he put it very fairly in his first message.
_________________
Cheers m' dears!

[Alan]

Hi OTS,

Thanks for your promotion. Though the references you suggested may not satisfy Bev's fastidiousness over 'exercises' and though I have no wish to blow my own trumpet, I do believe they may help our friend with providing information in a British English idiom.

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Passive Voice