Spelling, numbers, and conventions - British vs American spe...

Learning Outcomes

After reading this article, you will be able to identify common British and American spelling differences, correctly use IELTS-standard English spelling in your writing, and apply key conventions for writing numbers. You will also recognise why these conventions affect scores and how to check for typical errors under IELTS exam conditions.

IELTS Academic, General & UKVI Syllabus

For IELTS, you are required to demonstrate accurate English spelling, following IELTS conventions—especially regarding British and American spelling. For revision, focus on these syllabus points:

• Recognise standard spelling differences between British and American English.
• Use standard British spelling when presenting written work in IELTS.
• Accurately apply conventions for writing and formatting numbers in IELTS Academic and General Writing tasks.
• Avoid common spelling and numbering mistakes that can reduce your score.
• Apply correct spelling and number conventions in answer sheets, matching exam standards.

Test Your Knowledge

Attempt these questions before reading this article. If you find some difficult or cannot remember the answers, remember to look more closely at that area during your revision.

1. Which spelling is expected for the word “colour/color” in IELTS Academic Writing?
2. Are both “organize” and “organise” always accepted as correct spellings in IELTS?
3. How should numbers at the start of a sentence generally be written?
4. What is a common exam mistake related to words like “travelling” and “traveling” in IELTS writing?

Introduction

Spelling accuracy and number conventions are essential in IELTS written tasks. Errors in these areas can lower your score, even when your ideas are strong. IELTS follows clear conventions based on British English, making it important to use the correct spelling forms and number practices expected in the exam. This article explains the key differences between British and American spelling, the official IELTS standards, and practical rules for presenting numbers.

Key Term: British Spelling
The forms of English words considered standard in the UK and in IELTS exams, including differences in -our/-or, -ise/-ize, and doubled consonants.

Key Term: American Spelling
The forms of English words accepted in the United States, with notable differences in word endings, doubled consonants, and certain everyday words.

Key Term: IELTS Spelling Convention
The policy of using British spelling as standard in IELTS Writing, Academic and General, except where both British and American forms are accepted.

Key Term: Number Convention
The standard way of writing numbers and numerals in IELTS, including when to use words and when to use digits.

Spelling Differences: British vs American

While British and American English share the same language base, there are important spelling differences that matter in IELTS. You must recognise which forms are accepted—or required—in your exam answers.

Common British and American Spelling Differences

Some word families are spelled differently in British and American English:

Most IELTS written responses must use British spelling. Some words accept both forms (such as “organise” or “organize”), but many do not.

Key Term: Variant Spellings
Acceptable alternative ways of spelling a word, such as "organise/organize," depending on the region or dictionary.

IELTS Spelling Rules and Band Marking

In IELTS Academic and General Writing, examiners expect standard British spelling in all answers—except for words where both forms are common in academic English. Using American spelling for words like "colour" ("color") or "travelling" ("traveling") may result in a lower band for spelling accuracy unless both forms are listed as acceptable.

Typical Areas of Spelling Confusion

• Words ending in -our (British: "colour," "favour") and -or (American: "color," "favor").
• Verbs ending in -ise (British: "organise," "recognise") and -ize (American: "organize," "recognize").
  • Some British dictionaries allow -ize, but IELTS prefers -ise.
• Doubling consonants in verbs ("travelling" vs. "traveling").
  • In British English, consonants are often doubled in words like "cancelled," "modelling," or "travelling."
  • In American English, these words use single consonants: "canceled," "modeling," "traveling."
• Use of -re/-er endings ("centre" vs "center"; "metre" vs "meter").

Using Dictionaries

Use a British English dictionary as your reference for IELTS, especially while editing and revising your own writing. If in doubt, always use the British form.

Worked Example 1.1

Read the following sentences and decide which forms would receive full marks in IELTS Writing:

1. The theater/theatre was renovated last year.
2. It is important to optimize/optimise energy usage.
3. The students were criticised/criticized for poor spelling.
4. Staff easily fulfill/fulfil their duties.

Answer:

1. “theatre” (British); “theater” (American)—use “theatre.”
2. “optimise” (British, preferred); “optimize” (British/US, but “-ise” form is safest).
3. “criticised” (British); “criticized” (American)—use “criticised.”
4. “fulfil” (British); “fulfill” (American)—use “fulfil.”

Spelling and the IELTS Answer Sheet

In Listening and Reading, both British and American spellings are usually accepted—unless the context requires a specific regional form. However, your main focus in IELTS Writing should be to use British spelling consistently.

Key Term: Consistency
Using the same spelling style throughout your essay; mixing British and American forms in a single response is not acceptable in IELTS Writing.

Exam Warning

A common error is to mix British and American spelling in one essay (e.g., “favour” and “organize”). This inconsistency may cause the examiner to lower your score for “lexical resource” and “accuracy.” Always use one style: British English for IELTS.

Revision Tip

Before submitting your writing, scan for words ending in -ize/-ise, -our/-or, and for doubled consonants. Replace any American forms with the British standard.

Number Conventions in IELTS

Presenting numbers clearly is important in data description, Task 1 reports, and formal or academic writing. There are accepted conventions for writing numbers and dates.

IELTS Rules for Writing Numbers

• Write out numbers one to nine in words, unless following data or a diagram.
• Use numerals for numbers 10 and above, or when reporting specific statistics, data, percentages, and measurements.
• If a number begins a sentence, always write it in words (e.g., “Seventy per cent of participants agreed...”).
• Write dates in the British style: “17 May 2023” (not “May 17, 2023”).
• Use commas for thousands: “4,500” not “4500”.

Key Term: Hyphenation
A hyphen (-) used to join the parts of compound numbers (twenty-one, eighty-five).

Worked Example 1.2

Rewrite the sentences below to follow IELTS number conventions:

a) 3 experts were involved in phase 2 of the study.
b) fifty nine percent of the group preferred coffee.
c) 29 students passed out of sixty.

Answer:
a) Three experts were involved in phase 2 of the study. (“Three” begins the sentence.)
b) Fifty-nine percent of the group preferred coffee. (Compound numbers from 21-99 are hyphenated; numbers starting a sentence written in words.)
c) Twenty-nine students passed out of sixty. (Numbers at the start of a sentence in words, hyphen for “twenty-nine.”)

Exam Warning (Numbers)

Always check the position of a number in a sentence. For numbers at sentence beginnings, write out the word, not the numeral. Writing “23 students attended the seminar.” at the start of a sentence is incorrect by IELTS conventions; write “Twenty-three students attended the seminar.”

Other Conventions: Dates, Titles, and Capitals

• British dates: 10 December 2024 (not December 10, 2024).
• Titles (books, films, works): Capitalise only the first word and proper nouns, unless the title is in full capitals.
• Use a capital letter for days, months, nationalities, airports, and rivers.

Computer-Based IELTS Considerations

On computer-delivered IELTS, standard British spelling and the number conventions above still apply. Spellcheckers may not recognise errors in regional words—do not rely on them.

Key Point Checklist

This article has covered the following key knowledge points:

• Identify the difference between British and American spelling in IELTS contexts.
• Apply IELTS spelling conventions in all written tasks, especially the use of -ise, -our, and doubled consonants.
• Write numbers and data using recommended IELTS formats, with correct hyphenation and spacing.
• Avoid mixed spelling forms, which reduce exam scores.
• Use British spelling consistently and correctly to meet IELTS band requirements.

Key Terms and Concepts

• British Spelling
• American Spelling
• IELTS Spelling Convention
• Number Convention
• Variant Spellings
• Consistency
• Hyphenation