American English

American English, sometimes called United States English or U.S. English, is the set of varieties of the English language native to the United States. English is the most widely spoken language in the U.S., as well as the common language used in government, education, and commerce in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and in all U.S. territories except Puerto Rico. Since the late 20th century, American English has become the most influential form of English worldwide.

Varieties of American English include many patterns of pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and particularly spelling that are unified nationwide but distinct from other forms of English around the world. Any American or Canadian accent perceived as lacking noticeably local, ethnic, or cultural markers is known in linguistics as General American. The sound of American English continues to evolve, with some local accents disappearing, but several larger regional accents having emerged in the 20th century.

History

The use of English in the United States began with British colonization of the Americas. The first English-speaking settlers arrived in North America in the early 17th century, and more came in the 18th and 19th centuries. During this time, people from many parts of England and the British Isles settled in the Thirteen Colonies, mixing their different dialects. This mixing made American English more uniform than the many dialects in Britain.

By the mid-18th century, people noticed that American English was quite uniform compared to British English. Over time, American English developed new regional dialects, influenced by immigrants from many languages. For example, Ulster Scots immigrants helped shape Appalachian English, and the Great Migration spread African-American Vernacular English to cities around the Great Lakes.

Phonology

Main article: General American

See also: American and British English pronunciation differences and Comparison of General American and Received Pronunciation

Most American English accents are grouped under something called General American. This isn’t just one accent, but a range of accents that most Americans see as neutral — not tied to any specific region, group, or social class. People often use these accents in formal settings or if they have a lot of education.

General American accents are becoming more common across the United States, especially in cities. Younger Americans often speak with these accents instead of traditional regional ones. Even General American itself is changing, with new pronunciation trends appearing, like changes in certain vowel sounds that are spreading nationwide.

American English has some unique pronunciation features compared to British English. For example, Americans usually say all their “r” sounds at the end of words, and they pronounce “t” and “d” sounds in the middle of words the same way — like in “metal” and “medal.” There are also specific ways Americans say vowel sounds that differ from British pronunciation, such as merging certain vowel sounds together.

Vocabulary

See also: Comparison of American and British English § Vocabulary

American English has many unique words that came from many different places. When British settlers came to North America, they borrowed names from Native American languages for things they found there, like animals and plants. Words such as opossum, raccoon, squash, and moose all came from Native American languages.

American English also includes words from other languages. For example, words like cookie came from Dutch, and kindergarten came from German. There are also many differences between American English and British English in everyday words. For example, Americans say apartment where British people say "flat," and they say vacation instead of "holiday."

Grammar and orthography

Main articles: American and British English grammatical differences and American and British English spelling differences

American English and British English have only small differences in grammar and spelling. One famous American dictionary, called Webster's Dictionary, was written by Noah Webster in 1828 and helped set some of these spelling rules.

Some grammar differences include using the same adjective as an adverb, like saying "he ran quick" instead of "he ran quickly." There are also small differences in past tense verbs, like "learned" in American English and "learnt" in British English. Spelling differences are also small, such as using "flavor" in American English and "flavour" in British English. American English usually ends words with "‑ize," like "realize," while British English often uses "‑ise." These differences are minor, and both types of English are easy to understand.

Sub-varieties

While American English is mostly the same across the country, there are several recognizable regional and ethnic accents. These accents have small differences in vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation.

Regional accents in American English are always changing. Some are becoming more similar, while others are becoming more different. The East Coast, having been settled longer, has more unique accents, including New England, the Mid-Atlantic states, and the South. The Great Lakes area also has its own unique features.

Other accents, like those in Boston, Pittsburgh, the Upper Midwest, and the Western U.S., have specific sounds that set them apart. Most Americans use all their "r" sounds in words, known as a rhotic accent. However, some areas like eastern New England and New York City traditionally drop the "r" sound in certain words.

New York City and Southern accents are the most widely recognized regional accents in the country. Southern speech is often identified by Americans as a “country” accent. Ethnic varieties of English, such as African-American Vernacular English, Chicano English, and Hawaiian Pidgin, also exist and have influenced everyday speech for many Americans.

Nationwide usage and status

Main article: Languages of the United States

In 2024, about 247.7 million Americans aged five or above spoke English at home, making up 77% of the total U.S. population in that age group. While there is no official language at the federal level, English is the common language used in government, education, and business across all 50 states and most U.S. territories.

Thirty-two states have laws recognizing English as an official language. Puerto Rico is the exception, where Spanish is the main language spoken at home and in public life.