內容簡介

“顏色” 的拼寫是 “color” 還是 “colour”？想表示 “組織、安排” 這個動作是用 “organize” 還是 “organise”？雖然美國人和英國人都以英語為母語，但他們對一些相同事物的拼寫方法是不一樣的。這兩種英語中，部分單詞在拼寫上的區別有規可循嗎？“一分鐘英語” 歸納并講解美式拼寫和英式拼寫中常見的三個區別。

文字稿

Hi, I’m Georgina from BBC Learning English. In today’s lesson we are going to look at three differences between American English and British English spelling.

Words which end with ‘-er’ in American English often end in ‘-re’ in British English.
For example:
‘I live in the center of town.’ changes to… centre.

Normally, verbs which end in ‘-ize’ in American English can be spelled in British English with either ‘-ize’ or ‘-ise’.
For example:
‘Can you organize the meeting?’ changes to… organise.

Sometimes words with ‘-or’ in American English can be spelled in British English using ‘-our’.
For example:
‘What’s your favorite color?’ changes to… favourite colour.

It doesn’t matter whether you use American English or British English spelling – just make sure you use one or the other!

用法總結

1. 有些在美式拼寫中結尾為 “-er” 的單詞，在英式拼寫中以 “-re” 結尾。

• 美式拼寫：I live in the center of town.    英式拼寫：I live in the centre of town.
• 美式拼寫：I’m going to the theater.    英式拼寫：I’m going to the theatre.

2. 有些在美式拼寫中結尾為 “-ize” 的單詞，在英式拼寫中也能以 “-ise” 結尾。

• 美式拼寫：Can you organize the meeting?    英式拼寫：Can you organise the meeting?
• 美式拼寫：She didn’t realize that.    英式拼寫：She didn’t realise that.

3. 有些在美式拼寫中含有 “or” 的單詞，在英式拼寫中寫作 “our”。

• 美式拼寫：What’s your favorite color?    英式拼寫：What’s your favourite colour?
• 美式拼寫：I like your humor.     英式拼寫：I like your humour.