How can I avoid using Americanisms in my writing when writing in Australian English?

To avoid using Americanisms in your writing in Australian English, you can follow these practical steps:

1. Understand the Differences in Spelling:

• Use British/Australian spelling conventions such as ‘colour’ instead of ‘color’, ‘realise’ instead of ‘realize’, and ‘organise’ instead of ‘organize'[2][8][9].
• Remember that words ending in ‘-ise’ in Australian English often end in ‘-ize’ in American English. For example, ‘analyse’ vs. ‘analyze'[10].

1. Be Aware of Vocabulary Differences:

• Use Australian terms such as ‘petrol’ instead of ‘gasoline’, ‘biscuit’ instead of ‘cookie’, and ‘boot’ instead of ‘trunk'[2][4][6].
• Familiarize yourself with uniquely Australian words and phrases, and prefer them over American equivalents. For example, use ‘footpath’ instead of ‘sidewalk'[4][6].

1. Adopt Australian Grammar and Punctuation Rules:

• Avoid the serial comma (also known as the Oxford comma) which is commonly used in American English but not in Australian English[10].
• Use single quotation marks for direct quotations and double quotation marks for a quote within a quote, which is the opposite of the American style[10].

1. Pronunciation and Writing Style:

• Be mindful of the Australian pronunciation and try to reflect this style in your writing, especially if it affects the choice of words or expressions[2].
• Avoid American phrasing and idiomatic expressions that are not commonly used in Australia[6][12].

1. Use Australian English Resources:

• Refer to Australian dictionaries and style guides to check for correct usage and spelling[8][9].
• Read Australian literature and publications to immerse yourself in the local usage and stylistic preferences[4][6].

1. Editing and Proofreading:

• Have your text reviewed by someone proficient in Australian English to catch any Americanisms you might have missed[10].
• Use software or tools set to Australian English to help identify American spellings and grammatical preferences[9][10].

By consistently applying these guidelines, you can effectively minimize the use of Americanisms in your writing and ensure that your text adheres to Australian English standards.

Citations:
[1] https://www.casita.com/blog/main-differences-between-aussies-and-brits-englishes
[2] https://www.speakmoreclearly.com/english-pronunciation-tips/american-english-accent-vs-australian-english-accent/
[3] https://ielts.idp.com/indonesia/about/news-and-articles/article-australian-vs-british-vs-american-english/en-gb
[4] https://blog.e2language.com/australian-english-vs-american-english-vs-british-english/
[5] https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/let-every-new-word-bloom-20110812-1iqtx.html
[6] https://www.babbel.com/en/magazine/australians-love-american-words
[7] https://www.abc.net.au/education/interesting-words-and-americanisms-in-our-language/13953302
[8] https://www.agencymavericks.com/australian-english-vs-british-english-vs-american-english/
[9] https://www.abc.net.au/education/learn-english/australian-vs-american-spelling/11244196
[10] https://www.eliteediting.com.au/avoiding-americanisms-when-using-australianbritish-english/
[11] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy-bd5AC-Ms
[12] https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/8274467/clear-as-math-what-counts-as-proper-australian-english/
[13] https://www.thinkswap.com/au/vce/english-language/year-12/americanisms-and-their-effect-australian-english
[14] https://www.smh.com.au/national/australian-english-isn-t-being-taken-over-by-americanisms-but-it-is-changing-20210729-p58e2f.html
[15] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oouPqmLbYro
[16] https://quadrant.org.au/magazine/2019/03/the-serious-decline-of-the-common-language/
[17] https://www.reddit.com/r/australia/comments/198fm7q/americans_cant_write_australian_dialogue/
[18] https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/2613124
[19] https://thekicker.substack.com/p/i-fought-americanisms-and-americanisms