Preposition Differences (AmE/BrE)
B1 · IntermediateAmerican vs British EnglishAt the weekend vs. on the weekend — same meaning, different preposition.
What you'll learn
- British English says 'at the weekend'; American English says 'on the weekend'
- British English says 'fill in a form'; American English says 'fill out a form'
- British English says 'Monday to Friday'; American English says 'Monday through Friday'
- British English says 'in a team'; American English says 'on a team'
- British English tells time with 'past' (five past ten); American English commonly uses 'after' (five after ten) alongside 'past'
- 'Different from' is standard in both varieties; 'different than' is additionally common and accepted in American English
Same meaning, different preposition
Prepositions are one of the most noticeable places where American and British English part ways — the underlying meaning is identical, but each variety has settled on its own small word to express it. These pairs are worth memorizing as fixed expressions rather than reasoning out, since the 'logic' behind each choice is really just convention.
Time and schedules
Talking about the weekend and about ranges of days are two classic examples. British English uses 'at' for the weekend and 'to' for a range of days; American English uses 'on' for the weekend and 'through' for a range of days.
Verb + preposition pairs and teams
'Fill in' vs. 'fill out' a form is one of the most common everyday differences. Belonging to a group like a sports team or a committee also takes a different preposition on each side of the Atlantic.
Real English
Watch out
These are regional preferences, not an error and a correction — use whichever matches the variety you're speaking or writing.
Combining both prepositions in one phrase isn't a compromise — pick the verb+preposition pair from one variety and use it as a whole.
Real life — Filling out paperwork abroad
"The receptionist asked me to fill out this form, but I kept writing 'fill in' out of habit."
"Ha, that happens — it's the same form either way, just a different verb depending on where you are."
"Good to know. Anything else I should watch for while I'm here?"
"Just listen for 'on the weekend' instead of 'at the weekend' — that one trips people up too."
Practice
Exercise 1 · Choose the more British preposition
Choose the more typically BRITISH preposition: 'We're going away ___ the weekend.'
Exercise 2 · Choose the more American preposition
Choose the more typically AMERICAN preposition: 'We're going away ___ the weekend.'
Exercise 3 · Choose the correct pattern
'This result is different ___ what I expected.' Choose the option that's standard in BOTH varieties, plus the extra option only American English accepts.
Exercise 4 · Choose the more British phrasing
Choose the more typically BRITISH way to say this: 'Please ___ this form before you leave.'
Exercise 5 · Choose the more American phrasing
Choose the more typically AMERICAN way to say this: 'Please ___ this form before you leave.'
Exercise 6 · Choose the more British connector
'The office is open Monday ___ Friday.' Choose the more typically BRITISH connector.
Exercise 7 · Choose the more American connector
'The office is open Monday ___ Friday.' Choose the more typically AMERICAN connector.
Exercise 8 · Choose the more American preposition
'She plays ___ the school basketball team.' Choose the more typically AMERICAN preposition.
Exercise 9 · Give the British time expression
Give the more typically BRITISH way to say the time '10:05' using 'past'/'after': '_____ ten.' (5 ___ ten)
Exercise 10 · Give the American time expression
Give the more typically AMERICAN way to say the time '10:05' using 'after': 'five ___ ten.'
Exercise 11 · Sort the phrases into groups
0 / 8 sorted
Quick challenge
Five quick questions to check what stuck.
Question 1 / 5
Score: 0/0
'This restaurant is different ___ the one we went to last week.' Which preposition works in BOTH varieties?
You learned
- British says 'at the weekend'; American says 'on the weekend.'
- British says 'fill in a form'; American says 'fill out a form.'
- British says 'Monday to Friday'; American says 'Monday through Friday.'
- British says 'in a team'; American says 'on a team.'
- British tells time with 'past'; American commonly uses 'after' as well.
Related grammar lessons
Grammar Differences (AmE/BrE)
See the handful of genuine grammar differences between American and British English — present perfect vs. simple past, 'have got' vs. 'have', collective-noun agreement, the mandative subjunctive, and 'shall' — so both varieties sound natural to you, in speech and in writing.
Vocabulary Differences (AmE/BrE)
Build a working list of the everyday words that differ between American and British English — flat/apartment, lift/elevator, biscuit/cookie, autumn/fall — plus one genuine false friend, 'pants,' that means something different depending on which variety you're speaking.
Spelling Differences (AmE/BrE)
Go beyond the systematic -our/-or and -re/-er suffix rules and learn the irregular, word-specific spelling pairs between American and British English — tyre/tire, mould/mold, aluminium/aluminum, pyjamas/pajamas — plus the noun/verb spelling split in practice/practise and licence/license.
Pronoun Mistakes
A focused review of the most common pronoun mistakes — the wrong pronoun after 'and' or a preposition, and reflexive pronouns added where English doesn't need one.