English Language Learners Stack Exchange
English Language Learners Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [american-english]

This tag is for questions specifically related to the English language as spoken and written in the USA. If you are interested in a difference between American English and British English, please use transatlantic-differences.

American English is a set of dialects of the English language used mostly in the United States. Approximately two-thirds of the world's native speakers of English live in the United States.

In USA, the federal government has no official language, and English is considered the de facto language of the United States. English has been given official status by 30 of the 50 state governments.

See also

Resources

1719 questions
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What is the difference between "behavior" and "behaviour"?

In the online version of Cambridge Dictionary, there are these definitions for the next two words: Behaviour = the way that someone behaves Behavior = a particular way of acting What would be a difference between behavior and behaviour by some…
b2ok
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What do Americans say instead of “can’t be bothered”?

I want to know the American version of “I can’t be bothered.” I heard that Americans don’t use this phrase that much. I’ve been googling this and all I get are phrases like “I couldn’t care less” and “I don’t give a [something]” but these are not…
BosonFermion
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What is really Grapevine Communication?

What is grapevine communication? I don't know whether it has positive or negative connotations. Can anyone tell me the details of it? Thanks in advance
user97750
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What do you call in the USA the people of English ancestry?

What do you call the ethnic group of people who are of English ancestry? Do you call them Anglo-Saxons?
Anixx
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Recommended ways to regularly talk with people to practice English

For those people who don't live in a country where English is used in daily life, sustaining English speaking skills is very very hard. I myself spent many hours looking for conversation groups and random people to talk with in many places online.…
noarm
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Idiom "off the rack" and the definition from dictionaries and the usage in a sentence "off the rack policy"

There is a line from this article, saying, High-income households and college graduates—which are more likely to have higher amounts of student debt— were more likely to support forgiveness. Fifty percent of households making more than $100,000 per…
Kentaro
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You look catfish vs You look like a catfish?

Catfishing is the term used for anyone stealing other people's identities on the internet, so they can pretend to be someone they're not (mainly on dating websites) with the aim of tricking others into going out with them. The example phrase given…
Kaique
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What does it mean when someone says "Let's Talk Consistency"

What does it mean when someone says, "Let's Talk Consistency" Does it mean talk in harmony? I've just spotted that and would like to learn it and implement it in my day to day vocabulary. I will appreciate if some examples are given. I already…
THEGreatGatsby
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am I a native speaker?

Ever since I was born, I'd lived with an American family. They were missionaries from Atlanta and they lived with me and my family for over 14 years. So I literally grew up with their kids and they taught me English and my brother and I would teach…
Patricia Pimenta
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Does a license allow or permit?

In US English should I say You have already activated more sites than your license allows Or You have already activated more sites than your license permits
Mario Trucco
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Which is right "office hours" or "office hour"?

I want to ask a person what time should I start to work. What is the regular office hour? OR What are the regular office hours?
Marco
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What is the exact difference between 'Hi' and 'Hello'?

What is the actual difference between 'Hi' and 'Hello'? When to use 'Hi' and when to use 'Hello'?
kls
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Interjections for unpleasant surprise?

What are the most common American English interjections for unpleasant surprise? I am particularly interested in finding out their correct spelling.
Nelu
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What does "remove your kneecaps" mean?

I found the following phrase in a book I was reading： I will personally send agents to your house to remove your kneecaps in the dead of night. I am confused about the meaning of remove your kneecaps. Does this mean cut down the kneecaps? Or does…
aircraft
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What does a "rogue opinion" mean?

Actress Meryl Streep tweeted the folloiwng: "This was me on my way home from an audition for King Kong where I was told I was too “ugly” for the part. This was a pivotal moment for me. This one rogue opinion could derail my dreams of becoming an…
Daisy Yang
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