Problem: American grammar and usage is different than British grammar and usage, which often confuses students.
How do you tell if a piece of writing is British or American?
- Find a sentence with the word because in it.
- Because needs to be in the middle of the sentence.
- If a comma precedes the word because, you have a British document.
- If there isn't a comma, you have an American document.
British Example
I didn't go to work today, because it was snowing
American Example
I didn't go to work today because it was snowing
British Example
You brought an umbrella, because you thought it was going to rain?
American Example
You brought an umbrella because you thought it was going to rain?
Conclusion
Notice how grammar and punctuation are used in what you read, making sure that the publication is American and not British
