...of this verb? Spelled or spelt? In the good ole USA, the past tense of the word “spell” is written and pronounced “spelled”; if you write "spelt", your teacher will certainly mark the word as wrong! And please, “spelt” IS NOT the simple past, past perfect, or pluperfect tense of this word (thanks to my foreign language teachers).
I know that many are fond of posting links to online dictionaries that make no distinction between British and American English, yet the difference exists. Americans: when you're doing American homework, on American soil, you must use the American spelling of words. If you are a Yank studying at Oxford, than naturally, you must do as the Romans (oops, Brits) do. Other than that, there are no other options.
Additionally, the correct spelling of the past tense of the word dream is “dreamed” not “dreamt”. And the past tense of cancel as used in the U.S. is spelled “canceled”, not “cancelled” - I believe this spelling reform took place when I was in my 20’s. However, it's interesting that “cancellation” still seems to require both L’s – at least in common usage. The spell checker in MS Word doesn't mark it as incorrect but if doesn't provide any definitions or synonyms for it either. Anyway, I just had to get that out. LOL
Okay, can you Canucks weigh in and tell us which version of the past tense of spell, dream, and cancel you all use? And what version of color/colour, honor/honour, and neighbor/neighbour, are we likely to find in a Canadian-printed college dictionary, the American or British spelling?
Thanks!
DC, that’s what revolutions are all about, eh? But let’s not turn this question into a US vs. Canada issue. I have a healthy respect for Canadians: we share a common border, a truly integrated and egalitarian air defense system, you're our number one trading partner, and you guys have our backs in Afghanistan. Also, if I was ever to need help while traveling or living abroad and couldn’t get to an American embassy or consulate, you know I would head straight to you guys for help! So let’s play nice.
In deference to you Picador, I know that America (North and South) consists of Canada/Alaska, all the way down to the Falkland Islands, it’s just that no other people refer to themselves as Americans; the people of all other nations refer to themselves by the actual name of their country…I guess our use of the word came about because we no longer felt like British subjects, but instead geographically and emotionally, distinctly "American".
Funny you should mention Noah Webster. My
Funny you should mention Noah Webster. My daughter told me the history behind Webster’s Dictionary. Her English book mentioned that President George Washington commissioned Webster to go around the newly formed nation collecting words that were uniquely American so that our English would be different from British English.
Also, no offense intended re the "Canadian-printed dictionary" comment - I just didn't know the name of any Canadian ones.
I know that many are fond of posting links to online dictionaries that make no distinction between British and American English, yet the difference exists. Americans: when you're doing American homework, on American soil, you must use the American spelling of words. If you are a Yank studying at Oxford, than naturally, you must do as the Romans (oops, Brits) do. Other than that, there are no other options.
Additionally, the correct spelling of the past tense of the word dream is “dreamed” not “dreamt”. And the past tense of cancel as used in the U.S. is spelled “canceled”, not “cancelled” - I believe this spelling reform took place when I was in my 20’s. However, it's interesting that “cancellation” still seems to require both L’s – at least in common usage. The spell checker in MS Word doesn't mark it as incorrect but if doesn't provide any definitions or synonyms for it either. Anyway, I just had to get that out. LOL
Okay, can you Canucks weigh in and tell us which version of the past tense of spell, dream, and cancel you all use? And what version of color/colour, honor/honour, and neighbor/neighbour, are we likely to find in a Canadian-printed college dictionary, the American or British spelling?
Thanks!
DC, that’s what revolutions are all about, eh? But let’s not turn this question into a US vs. Canada issue. I have a healthy respect for Canadians: we share a common border, a truly integrated and egalitarian air defense system, you're our number one trading partner, and you guys have our backs in Afghanistan. Also, if I was ever to need help while traveling or living abroad and couldn’t get to an American embassy or consulate, you know I would head straight to you guys for help! So let’s play nice.
In deference to you Picador, I know that America (North and South) consists of Canada/Alaska, all the way down to the Falkland Islands, it’s just that no other people refer to themselves as Americans; the people of all other nations refer to themselves by the actual name of their country…I guess our use of the word came about because we no longer felt like British subjects, but instead geographically and emotionally, distinctly "American".
Funny you should mention Noah Webster. My
Funny you should mention Noah Webster. My daughter told me the history behind Webster’s Dictionary. Her English book mentioned that President George Washington commissioned Webster to go around the newly formed nation collecting words that were uniquely American so that our English would be different from British English.
Also, no offense intended re the "Canadian-printed dictionary" comment - I just didn't know the name of any Canadian ones.