Canadian English Style Guide
Grammar and Colloquialism Guide
Canadian English is a blend of both British and American English language rules due to Canada’s close proximity to the United States and because it is a member of the British Commonwealth. Canadian English also consists of many unique terms called Canadian-isms (slang terms used only in Canada). Refer to this basic style guide when writing or editing a text for Canadian English.
Spelling
- Use “favourite,” “colour,” “honour,” and “labour” (the –our suffix opposed to the American –or).
- When adding suffixes to –our words, it is customary to drop the first “u” (“humorous” not “humourous” and “honorary” not “honourary”).
- Use “centre” and “theatre” (the –re suffix opposed to the American –er).
- Use “strategize”, “paralyze” and “recognize” (the –ize / -yze suffix opposed to the British –ise / -yse). This rule also applies to American English.
- Double the last consonant when adding suffixes. Ex. Use “travelling” “worshipped” and “cancelled” (the –ell / -epp suffixes opposed to the American –el / -ep). However, “profiting” does not apply to this rule for British or Canadian English.
- Use “practice / practise”, defence / defense” and “licence / license” (the –ice / -ence suffix applies to some nouns replacing the American –ise / –ense, while –ise / -ense applies to the matching verbs as in British English). However, “advice” and “advise” are universal.
- Use “catalogue” (the –ogue suffix opposed to the American –og).
- Use “program” (the –gram suffix replacing the British –gramme). This rule also applies to American English.
- Use “cheque” (the –que suffix opposed to the American –k or –ck).
- Use “judgement” (the –dge opposed to the American –dg).
- Use “tire” (the –ire suffix opposed to the British –yre). This rules also applies to American English.
- Use “grey” (the –ey suffix opposed to the American –ay).
- Use “aluminum” (the –num suffix opposed to the British –nium). This rule also applies to American English.
Units of Measurement
- Celsius – used when referring to weather temperature (unlike “Fahrenheit” in America).
- Fahrenheit – used when referring to cooking temperature (A mix of both Celsius and Fahrenheit temperatures are widely used and displayed throughout the country.)
- Feet / Inches – used when measuring height. (However, centimetres and metres are used in most medical documentation.)
- Inches (ie. 8.5” x 11”) / Letter / Legal – used when referring to paper sizes (opposed to the American “millimeters” or “A4” size).
- Kilometres – used when referring to travel speed (not “miles” as in America).
- L/100 km – used when measuring fuel (opposed to the American “miles per gallon”).
- Pounds / Ounces – used when measuring weight. (However, kilograms and grams are used in most medical documentation.)
- Square Feet – used when measuring property (opposed to the American “yards” or “acres”).
Education Terminology
- College – refers to community college where one earns a diploma or a certificate
- Frosh – refers to first-year college or university students.
- Frosh Week – refers to the week before post-secondary classes start when first-year students have parties, events and new-student orientation.
- Grade 1, Grade 2, etc. (not “first grade”, “second grade” as in America).
- Grade 9, Grade 10, etc. or first year, second year, etc. (not “freshman”, “sophomore”, “junior”, “senior” as in America).
- Grades / Marks – Both the American and British terms are used.
- Kindergarten – refers to the grade before Grade 1. (Or Junior Kindergarten / Senior Kindergarten when it consisted of two consecutive years.)
- Principal – refers to the head of the school.
- University – refers to a Canadian university where one earns a degree or PhD (“University” does not apply to both college and university as in America).
- Vice-Principal – refers to the Principal’s assistant (not “assistant principal” as in America).
Canadian-isms (Only in Canada):
- Aboriginal Peoples – First Nations, Inuit and Metis people combined
- As well – (opposed to “in addition” in America. However, in addition is also used)
- Beaver / Whale Tails – fried dough pastry with multiple toppings shaped in a beaver or whale tail
- Buck and Doe / Stag and Doe –a party where entry tickets, raffle tickets and alcohol are sold to raise money for the wedding of an engaged couple
- Cheesies –cheese puffs or cheese sticks (a snack)
- Chesterfield – (opposed to “sofa” in America)
- Converter – (opposed to “remote control” in America)
- Double Double – popular coffee with two cream and two sugar
- Eavestrough – (opposed to “rain gutter” in America)
- Eh? – used as in “Don’t you agree?” or “Huh?”
- First Nations – Aboriginal people (opposed to “Native Americans” or “American Indians” in America)
- Freezie – frozen sugar-water snack
- Camping – staying in a tent in the woods or at a campground
- Camp – children’s summer camps
- Chinook – a warm wind that blows from east to west during late winter to early spring
- Homogenized Milk / Homo Milk – (opposed to “whole milk” in America)
- Housecoat – (opposed to “bathrobe” in America)
- Humidex – the measurement of heat and humidity combined
- Hydro – Canadian electricity
- Knapsack / Bookbag – (opposed to “backpack” in America)
- Kraft Dinner / KD – a popular dry macaroni and cheese mix
- Loonie – the Canadian one-dollar coin
- May Two-four– the first long week-end of the summer (on or around May 24th)
- Mickey – a flask of hard liquor
- Peameal / Back Bacon – (opposed to “Canadian Bacon” in America)
- Pencil Crayon – (opposed to “colored pencil” in America)
- Poutine – french fries topped with gravy and cheese curds
- Runners / Running Shoes – (opposed to “sneakers” in America)
- Serviette – a paper napkin
- Smarties – popular candy covered chocolate pieces (similar to “M&M’s” in America)
- Statutory Holidays / Stats – Public holidays legislated by both the national and provincial government
- Texas Mickey – a 3L bottle of hard liquor
- The States or The U.S. – the United States of America
- Tims – Tim Hortons, a popular Canadian coffee shop
- Toonie – the Canadian two-dollar coin
- Toque – a knitted winter hat, often with a pom-pom on top
- Twenty–sixer – a 750 ml bottle of hard liquor
- Two–four – a twenty-four bottle case of beer
- Washroom – (opposed to “restroom” in America)
- Zed (for the letter Z) – (opposed to “Zee” in America)
For even more Canadian-isms, visit the site of CMU.
Share the knowledge
Not using Wordapp yet?
Sign up to revolutionize your content creation!