Which aspects of English grammer get taught in schools in England seems to be a matter of educational fashion, and perhaps the pet frustrations of individual teachers.I came across this last year. As a native English speaker, I never thought about this. This seems to be natural with most native English speakers. It is never taught in school. There is no real rule, but it sounds "natural".
Adjective Order in English
“Every Sunday, my grandma makes an Italian big meal,” said no one ever. Why? It’s technically correct—it’s a big meal, it’s…www.grammarly.com
Classic!
Yes, classic! I’ve always thought they would have loved to end the sketch with ‘a pair of knockers’.
Gosh, I do love the example from the link: “Every Sunday, my grandma makes an Italian big meal,” (versus "a big Italian meal").I came across this last year. As a native English speaker, I never thought about this. This seems to be natural with most native English speakers. It is never taught in school. There is no real rule, but it sounds "natural".
Adjective Order in English
“Every Sunday, my grandma makes an Italian big meal,” said no one ever. Why? It’s technically correct—it’s a big meal, it’s…
First of all, it is NEVER too late to learn a new language, so get busy! I'd also say that if you do pursue French then maybe you lucked out not learning Canadian French as opposed to an opportunity to learn Parisian French. While in France I asked a local if they were attracted to Canadian French the way Americans seem to be generally attracted to British English, and he emphatically said no. In fact, he said people in France can't stand the Canadian French accent because it is so coarse. Likewise, while in London I asked a Britisher the same question, whether people in England were attracted to American English accents. Again, the answer was absolutely not. He said people in England are rather repulsed by American English "low class" accents. So maybe this is just a common European attitude toward former "colonialists"? Interestingly, the opposite was true in India where they thought the American English accent was highly attractive. Go figure...
Yeah, well, no. I would rather have learned French Canadian French because -- in a way -- it's was or ought to have been part of my heritage as a Quebecer to speak the language of the place.
Said Britisher in London would probably have said the same about most British regional accents too, so don't read too much into it. Like or dislike for a particular regional accent is very much more personal than they suggested.
| British English | American English |
|---|---|
| anti-clockwise | counter-clockwise |
| articulated lorry | trailer truck |
| autumn | autumn, fall |
| barrister | attorney |
| bill (restaurant) | bill, check |
| biscuit | cookie |
| block of flats | apartment building |
| bonnet (car) | hood |
| bonnet (clothing) | hat |
| boot | trunk |
| car park | parking lot |
| caravan | trailer |
| chemist's shop | drugstore, pharmacy |
| chest of drawers | dresser, chest of drawers, bureau |
| chips | fries, French fries |
| cinema, the | movies, the |
| clothes peg | clothespin |
| coffin | coffin, casket |
| courgette | zucchini |
| crisps | potato chips |
| crossroads | intersection; crossroads (rural) |
| cupboard | cupboard (in kitchen); closet (for clothes etc) |
| diversion | detour |
| drawing-pin | thumbtack |
| drink-driving | drunk driving |
| driving licence | driver's license |
| dual carriageway | divided highway |
| dummy (for baby) | pacifier |
| dustbin | garbage can, trash can |
| dustman | garbage collector |
| engine | engine, motor |
| estate agent | real estate agent |
| estate car | station wagon |
| film | film, movie |
| flat | apartment, flat, studio |
| flat tyre | flat tire |
| flyover | overpass |
| gear-lever | gearshift |
| gearbox (car) | transmission |
| Girl Guide | Girl Scout |
| ground floor | ground/first floor |
| handbag | handbag, purse, shoulder bag |
| high street | main street |
| holiday | vacation |
| hood (car) | convertible top |
| jam | jam, preserves |
| jug | jug, pitcher |
| juggernaut | 18-wheeler |
| lift | elevator |
| lorry | truck, semi, tractor |
| mad | crazy, insane |
| main road | highway |
| maize | corn |
| maths | math |
| motorbike | motorcycle |
| motorway | freeway, expressway |
| motorway | highway, freeway, expressway, interstate highway, interstate |
| nappy | diaper |
| naughts and crosses | tic-tack-toe |
| pants, underpants | underpants, drawers |
| pavement | sidewalk |
| perambulator (formal for pram) | baby carriage |
| pet hate | pet peeve |
| petrol | gas, gasoline |
| Plough, the | Big Dipper, the |
| pocket money | allowance |
| post | |
| postbox | mailbox |
| postcode | zip code |
| postman | mailman, mail carrier, letter carrier |
| pub | bar |
| public toilet | rest room, public bathroom |
| railway | railroad |
| return (ticket) | round-trip |
| reverse charge | collect call |
| ring road | beltway, freeway/highway loop |
| road surface | pavement, blacktop |
| roundabout | traffic circle, roundabout |
| rubber | eraser |
| rubbish | garbage, trash |
| rubbish-bin | garbage can, trashcan |
| saloon (car) | sedan |
| shop | shop, store |
| silencer (car) | muffler |
| single (ticket) | one-way |
| solicitor | lawyer, attorney |
| spanner | wrench |
| sweets | candy |
| taxi | taxi, taxi cab |
| tea towel | dish towel |
| telly (informal), TV | television, TV |
| third-party insurance | liability insurance |
| timetable | schedule |
| tin | can |
| toll motorway | toll road, turnpike |
| torch | flashlight |
| trousers | pants, trousers |
| tube (train) | subway |
| underground (train) | subway |
| vest | undershirt |
| waistcoat | vest |
| wallet | wallet, billfold |
| wellington boots | rubber boots, rain boots |
| whisky | whisky/whiskey |
| windscreen | windshield |
| zip | zipper |
I'm surprised that list didn't include British "fag" for American "smoke" (cigarette).
it's an incomplete list, there are many more examples.
People in Spain go gaga over Argentinian accent. We love it, and to us it sounds much more musical, and also more intellectual.
Yes it can be quite jarring when someone on the street asks if they can "bum a fag" off you... depending on where one is from.
