ToBE #27 : Some more differences

'-re' or '-er'?
Centre, theatre, etc. are spelt differently in American English (as centrer, theater). However, it is not unusual to see them getting mixed up on either side of the Atlantic. The past tense for 'centre' in Commonwealth English is 'centred' and in American English is 'centered' (one letter more).

'-t' or 'ed'?
The reason for italicising spelt in the previous example is to highlight another difference. 'Spelt' and 'learnt' are written as 'spelled' and 'learned' in American English.

Double vowels
Some double vowels become single vowels in American English. Examples:
British/Indian: homoeopathy, paediatrician, foetus, faeces, encyclopaedia, manoeuvre.
American: homeopathy, pediatrician, fetus, feces, encyclopedia, maneuver.
Of the above, the last word uses both dropping a vowel and switching 're' to 'er'.

'-our' or '-or'?
Of course, the most common one is favour, flavour, fervour, clamour, colour, etc. dropping the 'u' to become American English words. An exception is 'glamour' - the 'u' is retained. If anybody knows why, please inform.

'-ce' or '-se'?
British/Indian: Practice, licence, etc. in noun form; practise and license in verb form
* It is common practice.
* My brother is practising law.
* Do you have a driving licence?
* Are you a licensing authority?
American: Practise, license, etc. in noun form; practice and licence in verb form