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English in USA is very different from what you are used to in India. For successful conversation in the US, it is advisable that you speak slowly and pronounce properly. The changes in pronunciation are like 'schedule' pronounced as 'skedule', 'route' pronounced 'raut' etc. Also some words are totally substituted like 'petrol' by 'gas'.Americans talk sweetly and we must respond similarly.If somebody asks "how-a-u-doin" do not forget to ask them back "how-a-u-doin" after replying to the question. Here is a table of some common words and phrases and how they are pronounced or spoken in USA English. |
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INDIAN ENGLISH |
AMERICAN ENGLISH |
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Common Phrases |
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To post a letter |
To mail a letter |
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To submit |
To turn in |
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To be out of station |
To be out of town |
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Straight-away |
Right away |
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Anticlockwise |
Counterclockwise |
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Bunk school |
Skip class |
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Passed out |
Graduated |
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Fainted |
Passed out |
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Ring up someone |
Call up someone |
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The line is engaged |
It's busy / I got a busy tone |
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Push the accelerator |
Step on the gas |
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ROUTE |
Spelled as Raut |
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Get down from a bus |
Get off of a bus |
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Standing from a constituency |
Running for an election |
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Issue a book from the library |
Checkout a book from the library |
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How are you? |
How are you doing? (how-a-u-doin) |
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Iam fine |
Iam ok /great/ good / not bad |
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How is everything? |
How is it going? |
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Pardon me |
excuse me |
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"come again" |
Could you repeat that please |
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Too good |
Cool |
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Food related |
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Coriander |
Cilantro |
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Cold drink |
Soda pop |
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Curd |
Yogurt |
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Chilli(Green chilli,Red chilli) |
Pepper ( Green Pepper,Red Pepper) |
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Nes-coffee |
Instant coffee |
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Filter coffee |
Brewed coffee |
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Milk powder |
Cream |
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French beans |
Snow peas |
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Hotel |
Restaurant |
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Jelly |
Gelatin |
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Garam masalla |
Curry Powder |
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Ladys finger |
Okra |
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Toffee |
Hard candy |
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Brinjal |
Eggplant |
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Biscuit |
Cookies/Wafers |
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Bun |
Biscuit |
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Nes-coffee |
Instant coffee |
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Pizza |
Pizza pronounced P-i-t-z-a |
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Potato chips |
Potato wafers |
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Finger chips |
French fries |
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Groundnuts |
Peanuts |
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Education related |
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Public school |
Public school(School supported by Government) |
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Private school |
Private school(school supported by various private groups) |
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School |
High school |
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College |
School |
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University |
School |
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High school |
School/Junior High |
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Take a class |
Teach a class |
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Be a student |
Take a class |
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2nd standard |
2nd grade |
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Good marks |
Good grades |
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Invigilator |
Proctor |
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Canteen |
Cafeteria |
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Clothes related |
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Windcheater |
Windbreaker |
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Vest |
Undershirt |
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Waistcoat |
Vest |
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Half-pant |
Shorts |
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Purse |
Wallet |
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Swim trunks |
Swim suit |
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Driving related |
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Traffic signal |
Traffic light |
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Boot, dikky |
Trunk of a car |
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Bonnet |
Hood of a car |
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Petrol pump |
Gas station |
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Petrol |
Gas |
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Diesel |
Fuel |
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Pavement |
Sidewalk |
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Footpath |
Sidewalk |
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Zebra Crossing |
Crosswalk |
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Take a lift |
Get a ride |
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Motorcycle |
Motorbike |
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Cycle |
Bike |
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Miscellaneous |
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Football |
Soccer |
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American football |
Rugby |
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Solid |
Substantial |
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Ltd. |
Inc. |
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Transistor |
Radio |
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Two-in-One |
Boom box |
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Cooling glass |
Sunglasses |
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Toilet |
Restroom |
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Guest house |
Motel |
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Current |
Electricity |
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$20 Note |
$20 Bill |
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Cell |
Battery |
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Torch |
Flashlight |
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Rubber |
Eraser |
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Photograph |
Picture |
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Mixee |
Mixer |
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Dustbin |
Trash can |
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Beggar |
Panhandler |
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IBM-Compatible |
IBM-Clone |
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Inflammable |
Flammable |
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Mess |
Dorm cafeteria |
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Hotel |
Restaurant |
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Restaurant bill |
Restaurant check |
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Picture,Film |
Movie |
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Talkies |
Movies |
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Lift |
Elevator |
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To fix |
To install |
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To repair |
To fix |
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Pram |
Stroller |