English grammar
American vs British English words
Understand everyday American English words, and one that means something different.
From the scene Momentarily?
In short
Some everyday words differ between British and American English. Momentarily means for a moment in Britain, in a moment in America.
Your turn
Which one goes with car park (BrE)?
Options: parking lot (AmE) · soda (AmE) · apartment / elevator (AmE)
Show answer
car park (BrE) → parking lot (AmE)
How it works
Tomás learned his English from Americans, so some everyday words differ: soda = fizzy drink, parking lot = car park.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
It's a car park, Doña Elena. Americans say (blank).
Options: parking lot · car park · park lot
Show answer
It's a car park, Doña Elena. Americans say parking lot.
Es un aparcamiento, Doña Elena. Los americanos dicen "parking lot".
Good to know
Watch out for momentarily: in American English it often means "in a moment", but in British English it means "for a moment".
fizzy drink (BrE) soda (AmE)
Nuria
A soda? You mean a fizzy drink?
¿Un "soda"? ¿Quieres decir un refresco?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
A (blank)? You mean a fizzy drink?
Options: soda · parking lot · apartment
Show answer
Nuria
A soda? You mean a fizzy drink?
¿Un "soda"? ¿Quieres decir un refresco?
car park (BrE) parking lot (AmE)
Tomás
That's it! Let's go to my car in the parking lot.
¡Eso es! Vamos a mi coche, en el "parking lot".
Your turn
What fills the gap?
That's it! Let's go to my car in the (blank).
Options: soda · apartment · parking lot
Show answer
Tomás
That's it! Let's go to my car in the parking lot.
¡Eso es! Vamos a mi coche, en el "parking lot".
flat / lift (BrE) apartment / elevator (AmE)
"for a moment" (BrE meaning) momentarily
Tomás
Momentarily.
Enseguida.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank).
Options: Momentarily · Soda · Parking lot
Show answer
Tomás
Momentarily.
Enseguida.
"in a moment" (AmE meaning) momentarily
Tomás
Momentarily.
Enseguida.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank).
Options: Momentarily · Soda · Parking lot
Show answer
Tomás
Momentarily.
Enseguida.
Common mistake
Not Momentous or Momently here. The American way to say 'in a moment'.
Momentarily.
Enseguida.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| fizzy drink (BrE) | soda (AmE) |
|---|---|
| car park (BrE) | parking lot (AmE) |
| flat / lift (BrE) | apartment / elevator (AmE) |
| "for a moment" (BrE meaning) | momentarily |
| "in a moment" (AmE meaning) | momentarily |
More lines from the story
- TomásIt's a car park, Doña Elena. Americans say parking lot.Es un aparcamiento, Doña Elena. Los americanos dicen "parking lot".
- TomásNo, in America it means "in a moment".No, en Estados Unidos significa "dentro de un momento".
- ElenaAnd you, darling, careful: when Tomás says 'momentarily'... it can mean tomorrow!Y tú, cariño, cuidado: cuando Tomás dice "momentarily"... ¡puede ser mañana!