American and British English Differences -- Page 4 --- Part 1
11. Many British words ending in "ize" also appear as ending as "ise."
Both are accepted as correct in British English while the "ize" is only acceptable in American English.
A small representative sample is shown below.
apologize atomize authorize barbarize bastardize brutalize cannibalize canonize
capitalize carbonize categorize cauterize centralize characterize civilize collectivize
colonize conceptualize containerize emphasize demilitarized epitomize equalize familiarize
finalize formalize fossilize galvanize paralyze idolyze neutralize
13A. British English has some vocabulary differences from American English. But recognize that many of these words are also used in totally different context in American English. Examples are tap, wing, post, rubber, ring and others.
Some representative examples are:
British American British American British American British American
lorry truck lift elevator biscuit cookie petrol gasoline
post mail ring call packet present pillion seat
holiday vacation hired rented waggon wagon aeroplane airplane
billy tin pan barrister lawyer bonnet hood football soccer
reck care pub bar nil nothing tyre tire
spanner wrench wing fender jug pitcher motorway freeway
diversion detour phone box phone booth pavement sidewalk trousers pants