英式英语与美式英语：语法的区别

虽然英式英语和美式英语的词汇基本一样，但是在语法上它们还是有细微的区别的。比如，在问别人“你有笔吗”时，英国人是会说“Have you got a pen?”还是“Do you have a pen?”

 

1. An American English speaker says 'I already did it' to you. What might a British English speaker say instead?

 

a) I already done it.

 

b) I've already done it.

 

c) I'd already done it.

 

d) I already did it?

 

2. How does British English compare to American English in regards to collective nouns? E.g. team, group, family, jury etc.

 

a) Both British and American only use singular verbs following a collective noun.

E.g. The team is losing.

 

b) British English uses a plural¹ verb following a collective noun, whereas American English will only use a singular verb. E.g.:

British: The team are losing.

American: The team is losing.

 

c) British English uses a singular verb following a collective noun, whereas American English will only use a plural verb. E.g.:

British: The team is losing.

American: The team are losing.

 

d) British English uses either a singular or plural verb following a collective noun, whereas American English will only use a singular verb. E.g.:

British: The team is / are losing.

American: The team is losing.

 

3. How do British and American English treat the verbs 'dream', 'burn', 'smell', and 'learn' among others in regards to their past simple and past participle forms?

 

a) There is no difference between American and British English. These verbs are conjugated² with –ed endings: dreamed, burned, smelled, learned.

 

b) There is no difference between American and British English. These verbs are conjugated with –t endings: dreamt, burnt, smelt³, learnt.

 

c) American English prefers the-ed ending: dreamed, burned, smelled, learned. But, British English can use the –t ending: dreamt, burnt, smelt, learnt.

 

d) American English prefers the-t ending: dreamt, burnt, smelt, learnt. But, British English can use the –ed ending: dreamed, burned, smelled, learned.

 

4. An American English speaker would ask 'Do you have a pen?' How could a British English speaker ask also using the verb 'have'?

 

a) Do you have a pen?

 

b) Do you have a pen?

Have you got a pen?

 

c) Do you have a pen?

Are you having a pen?

 

d) Have you gotten a pen?

Are you having a pen?

 

5. In a formal situation, how might an American English speaker and a British English speaker talk about calling someone in the future?

 

a) American English: I will call you early tomorrow morning.

British English: I shall call you early tomorrow morning.

 

b) American English: I will call you early tomorrow morning.

British English: I’m gonna call you early tomorrow morning.

 

c) American English: I will call you early tomorrow morning.

British English: I must call you early tomorrow morning.

 

d) American English: I will call you early tomorrow morning.

British English: I call you early tomorrow morning.

 

6. In British English the verb 'get' is conjugated 'get / got /got'. E.g. I get money. I got money. I've got money. How is this done in American English?

 

a) It is the same: get, got, got.

 

b) American English uses: get, got, gotten.

 

c) American English uses: get, gotten, got.

 

d) American English uses: get, getten, gotten.

 

答案

1) b, 2) d, 3) c, 4) b, 5) a, 6) b.

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