BRITISH AND AMERICAN ENGLISH

In British English:

Present Perfect is used for actions that started in the past and continue to the present.

• I’ve broken my leg. It hurts very much. Can you help me call the doctor?
• (Notice the use of the 3rd form of the verb “have” in the first sentence.)

In American English:

Past Simple is used for the same context.

• I broke my leg. Can you help me call the doctor?
• (Notice the use of the 2nd form of the verb “have” in the first sentence.)

Usage of “already, just, and yet”:

In British English:

• I’ve just finished my lunch.
• We’ve already seen that film.
• Have you finished your lunch yet?
• (These adverbs are generally used with the present perfect tense.)

In American English:

• I just finished my lunch OR I’ve just had lunch.
• We’ve already seen that film OR We already saw that film.
• Have you finished your lunch yet? OR Did you finish your lunch yet?
• (These adverbs are sometimes used with the simple past tense.)

Lesson 2

In British English:

Time is expressed using “past” or “to”:

• 4:15 – fifteen minutes past four OR a quarter past four
• 1:50 – ten minutes to two

In American English:

Time can also be expressed using “after” instead of “past”:

• 4:15 – fifteen after four
• 1:50 – ten minutes before (or till) two

Most Common American English – British English Guide