English Language Arts

Canadian Spelling—Spelling Rules

Concept sheet | English Language Arts

Grade

3-6

| Secondary

1-2

Top of page
How Is Canadian Spelling Different from American Spelling and British Spelling?
Differences Between the Writing Styles
Spelling -ell vs -el
Spelling -our vs -or
Spelling -re vs -er
Spelling -ce vs -se
Endings in -gue vs -g
Spelling -ze vs -se
Other Differences
See Also

How Is Canadian Spelling Different from American Spelling and British Spelling?

Rules

There are differences between how Americans and British people spell certain English words.

The Canadian style uses a mix of both spelling styles, but mostly spells words the British way.

	Spelling
	-ell vs -el	-our vs -or	-re vs-er	-ce vs-se	-gue vs -g	-ze vs-se
Canadian	travelling	colour	centimetre	practice (noun) practise (verb)	dialogue	personalize
American	traveling	color	centimeter	practise	dialog	personalize
British	travelling	colour	centimetre	practice	dialogue	personalise

Be careful!

Although certain spelling rules are preferred in Canada, the most important thing is to be consistent.

When writing a text, spell words the same way throughout the text.

Differences Between the Writing Styles

Spelling -ell vs -el

The Canadian style uses -ell to spell words that:

contain more than one syllable
contain a suffix

Canadian Spelling	American Spelling	British Spelling
travelling	traveling	travelling
counselling	counseling	counselling
cancelled	canceled	cancelled
levelled	leveled	levelled

Spelling -our vs -or

The Canadian style follows the British style and spells words with -our.

Canadian Spelling	American Spelling	British Spelling
favourite	favorite	favourite
colour	color	colour
neighbour	neighbor	neighbour
behaviour	behavior	behaviour

Spelling -re vs -er

The Canadian style follows the British style for words ending in -tre and -bre.

Canadian Spelling	American Spelling	British Spelling
centimetre	centimeter	centimetre
theatre	theater	theatre
calibre	caliber	calibre
fibre	fiber	fibre

Spelling -ce vs -se

Canadian spelling uses the British -ce ending.

Canadian Spelling		American Spelling	British Spelling
licence (noun)	license (verb)	license	licence
practice (noun)	practise (verb)	practise	practice
defence		defense	defence
offence		offense	offence

When the words “licence’’ and “practice” are used as nouns, the -ce ending is preferred.

When the words are used as verbs, the -se ending is preferred.

For example, in Canadian spelling:
Layla practises tennis. (verb)
She has tennis practice tonight. (noun)

Endings in -gue vs -g

The Canadian style follows the British spelling for words ending in -gue.

Canadian Spelling	American Spelling	British Spelling
dialogue	dialog	dialogue
monologue	monolog	monologue
catalogue	catalog	catalogue
epilogue	epilog	epilogue

Spelling -ze vs -se

The Canadian style follows the American style for words ending in -ize and -yze.

Canadian Spelling	American Spelling	British Spelling
apologize	apologize	apologise
organize	organize	organise
paralyze	paralyze	paralyse
recognize	recognize	recognise

Other Differences

There are other differences between the Canadian, American and British styles.

Here are some examples:

Canadian Spelling	American Spelling	British Spelling
cheque	check	cheque
moustache	mustache	moustache
fulfill	fulfill	fulfil
grey	gray	grey
jewellery	jewelry	jewellery
sulfur	sulfur	sulphur
anemia	anemia	anaemia
tire	tire	tyre
aluminum	aluminum	aluminium