Theatre versus theater
Compare each pair of sentences.
- The theatre district is close to the city centre.
The theater district is close to the city center.
- Let’s see a film at the new cinema.
Let’s see a movie at the new theater.
- My favourite colour is grey, and my favourite subject is maths.
My favorite color is gray, and my favorite subject is math.
- The best defence is a good offence.
The best defense is a good offense.
- I was travelling by aeroplane, but my flight was cancelled.
I was traveling by airplane, but my flight was canceled.
- Recognising and analysing the problem led to better organisation.
Recognizing and analyzing the problem led to better organization.
- I bought biscuits, crisps, chips, and kitchen roll.
I bought cookies, potato chips, French fries, and paper towels.
- Bungalows have one storey. Victorian homes have two or three storeys.
Bungalows have one story. Victorian homes have two or three stories.
- Check under the bonnet. There’s a tyre in the boot of the car.
Check under the hood. There’s a tire in the trunk of the car.
- She hosted a telly programme about jewellery for two series.
She hosted a TV program about jewelry for two seasons.
- The chemist dispensed the prescription I received in hospital.
The pharmacist filled the prescription I received in the hospital.
- University students usually order draught beer.
College students usually order draft beer.
- I need to wind the baby. I winded the baby.
I need to burp the baby. I burped the baby.
- Units of length include millimetres, centimetres, and metres.
Units of length include millimeters, centimeters, and meters.
- In British English, toilet means “restroom”.
In British English, toilet means “restroom.”
For each pair, the top sentence shows common usage and correct spelling in British English and the bottom sentence shows common usage and correct spelling in American English.
What’s the point?
The point is that you may prefer the aesthetics of “theatre” and placing the period outside the quotation mark at the end of a sentence (see O above), but are you prepared to go full British?
If the answer is no, then stick with “theater” and placing the period inside the end quotation mark. Otherwise, your writing will subtly, but clearly, convey a lack of knowledge and a lack of care.
Let’s look at another version of sentence A:
The theatre district is close to the city center.
Is this version British or American? Would you claim it as your own? I hope not.
Consider all you already know about the ins and outs of American English and how little time and effort it will take to polish that knowledge. Compare that to how much time you would need to learn the nuances of British English.
My usual stance: pick a lane—either British or American—and stay in it!
