When you’re using the -ize spelling rather than -ise, there are some words that retain the -ise ending nevertheless. How can you tell?
Category Archives: US-UK issues
A timely reminder
A project can be completed on time, or in good time, or as scheduled. But the nuances of “timely” aren’t always quite the same.
Spoken dates
Although we generally say something like “the fifth of November” or “April the seventeenth” (or variants depending on US/UK etc.), it’s not normal to write it out that way.
Gallons, tons, fluid ounces…
When converting units, be aware that not all the imperial measures are the same in US and UK English (let alone the equivalent legacy words in Dutch).
A programme of programs
In British English, the spelling “program” is normally used nowadays for IT but “programme” is still the norm for other contexts.
Decimal coinage
Fifty years ago this week, Britain got rid of its notorious system of pounds, shillings and pence: great for dividing fractions in medieval times, but not much use with computers.
Sir McCartney…?
Nope. On the rare occasions you’re referring to somone with the title, it goes with the first name: Sir Paul. Otherwise ‘sir’ is a standalone without any name attached.
A monumental mistake
A monument is a structure erected in remembrance of a person or event. They’re often on a grand scale, which is why “monumental” simply means extremely large.
Propagating initial capitals
Where sentences don’t start with a capital for some reason, there’s no need to propagate the need for one until you find somewhere to put it.
The minefield of academic titles
People are naturally very proud of their academic achievements and titles and want them stated in their communications. But it’s not as trivial as it might seem.
Advanced Dunglish 