Understanding the Difference Between British and American English: Emphasise vs. Emphasize

Emphasise vs. Emphasize

Sometimes, we see two words that look very similar but have a small difference in how they are spelled. “Emphasise” and “emphasize” are one of these pairs. Let’s look at what they mean, how they are used, and how you can remember which one to use.

Word History

Both “emphasise” and “emphasize” come from the Greek word “emphainein,” which means “to show” or “to make clear.” Over time, English speakers started using these words to mean “to give special importance to something.”

How to Use Them

“Emphasise” and “emphasize” have the same meaning. They both mean to stress the importance of something. The main difference is where they are used.

• Emphasise: This is the spelling used in British English.
• Emphasize: This is the spelling used in American English.

Trick to Remember the Difference

When you are writing in British English, use “emphasise” with an “s.” If you are writing in American English, use “emphasize” with a “z.” You can remember this by thinking of British English using more “s” words and American English using more “z” words.

Example Sentences

Emphasise

1. Teachers often emphasise the importance of doing homework.
2. She did not forget to emphasise the key points in her speech.
3. Let me emphasise that this rule is very important.
4. The report emphasised the need for better roads.
5. Parents emphasise good manners to their children.

Emphasize

1. The guide will emphasize the historical importance of the landmark.
2. We need to emphasize the positives in the situation.
3. Let me emphasize that everyone must arrive on time.
4. The teacher wants to emphasize this part of the lesson.
5. It is important to emphasize the safety rules.

Summary

“Emphasise” and “emphasize” mean the same thing: to give something special importance. “Emphasise” is used in British English, while “emphasize” is used in American English. Remember this by thinking about British words having more “s” and American words having more “z.” Thus, choose the spelling based on where your audience is from!