We use cookies to enhance your experience on our website. This website uses cookies that provide targeted advertising and which track your use of this website. By clicking ‘continue’ or by continuing to use our website, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.ContinueFind out more
How good is your American English?

Home > How good is your American English?

How good is your American English?

We recently tested non-Brits on their knowledge of British English; now it’s time to turn the tables and see how well English-speakers outside of North America can handle the mysteries of American English. Have a go, and let us know how you do. Good luck!

  • The opinions and other information contained in OxfordWords blog posts and comments do not necessarily reflect the opinions or positions of Oxford University Press.

Related posts

How good is your British English?

How good is your British English?

If you’re an English speaker and have spent any time in an ...

more
A Brit in America struggles with understanding and being understood.

The linguistic confusion of a Brit in America

When you’re a Brit living in the United States, as I am, sooner or ...

more

Comments

  • Katherine Barber

    All of these words are also used in Canada, so it would be more accurate to call this “North American English”. It is somewhat insulting to make statements like “only in the US/in America would you hear this” and “are you sure you’re not American” as if the 33 million of us Canadians did not exist.

    • ATLJTB

      We’ll give you “Mud-Room” and “Arugula.” We Americans will keep porch and lettuce. And thank you for the maple syrup I had on my pancakes this morning. It was delicious.

    • Of course, if you consider the label “American” to be shorthand for “North American” then Canadians *are* Americans, no?

  • Oh dear, I am an American. Yet, I got a 6/10 on this test and a 9/10 on the How is your British English quiz.

  • Sopha Robledo

    I got 9/10. I missed the leafy vegetable question.

  • Guest

    I’m from a former U.S. Colony but not a native English speaker. Scored 8 in American English, missed what pinafore is, forgot the other one. Aussie English is tougher for me, I only got 4 correct answers.

  • meg

    I have never set foot in US or Britain.. and my score was 8/10 on American English and 9/10 on British English. Turns out the non-natives do know the language better.

  • Auxerre

    Got 9 of 10. As an American, I had to guess on a few because I had no idea what the British term in the question meant. And I have never heard “mud room” or “jumper” used in the sense given here — perhaps it’s a regionalization, but we don’t use those terms in California.

  • LOUIS

    I AM INTERESTED IN AMERICAN-ENGLISH QUIZES

  • Katherine Harrington

    I got a 90% percent correct. As an American, I had to guess the answers to some of these since I was not familiar with the British term. I chose the answer that I use the most in daily life.

Trending

Book quiz: titles with missing colours

Do our lexicographers ever feel tempted to make up words in order to win a game of Scrabble?

An OED editor answers some more of your questions

Should you use while or whilst?

While or whilst?

Complete the title

Quiz: can you complete the book title?

George R. R. Martin’s invented language in A Game of Thrones

George R. R. Martin’s invented language in A Game of Thrones