“Behavior” or “Behaviour”: Understanding the Correct Spelling is key for learners who often feel confused when seeing words that look similar and sound the same but have subtle meanings. In English, American, British, Canadian, and Australian regional differences in spelling affect communication, writing, school assignments, exams, emails, and professional documents, making focusing, practising, and noting examples and exceptions crucial to improve vocabulary, clarity, and correctness.
Behavior is the preferred spelling in American English, while Behaviour is used in British and other English-speaking contexts worldwide. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for effective communication, as regional variations affect language, usage, style, form, and the ability to navigate diverse audiences, contexts, and documents confidently. Following rules, guides, and practical tips reduces confusion, hesitation, and mistakes.
As a writer and editor at an international company, I often edit content, ensuring correct forms like behaviors, behaviours, behavioral, behavioural, behaviorally, and behaviourally are applied correctly. Paying attention to variation, themes, history, culture, and geography enhances global awareness, builds recognition, and improves communication, making writing smooth, clear, and globally-aware for all readers, while using practical guides benefits learners and writers alike.
Understanding American vs British English
The difference between behavior and behaviour is primarily a matter of regional English standards. American and British English spell some words differently due to historical, cultural, and linguistic evolution.
- Behavior: American English
- Behaviour: British English
Other similar word pairs include:
| American English | British English |
| Color | Colour |
| Honor | Honour |
| Tabor | Labour |
| Favorite | Favourite |
| Theater | Theatre |
Historical Context:
In the 19th century, American lexicographer Noah Webster pushed for simplified spellings in the United States. He believed shorter, simpler words improved literacy and made American English distinct from British norms. As a result, words like “color,” “labor,” and behavior dropped the “u” found in British spelling.
Practical Tip:
Decide early which version of English you’re writing in. Consistency is key—mixing spellings can confuse readers and look unprofessional.
When to Use “Behavior”
Behavior is the accepted spelling in American English. You’ll see it in:
- Academic writing in the U.S.
- American newspapers, magazines, and blogs
- U.S.-based business and technical documents
Examples in Context
- “The child’s behavior improved after consistent positive reinforcement.”
- “Employee behavior plays a critical role in company culture.”
- “The research focused on consumer behavior during holiday sales.”
Tip for Writers
If your audience is primarily American or you’re submitting work to a U.S. publisher, always use behavior. Tools like Microsoft Word, Grammarly, and Google Docs allow you to set the language to American English, which ensures correct spelling automatically.
When to Use “Behaviour”
Behaviour is the preferred spelling in British English, which also applies to Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and many other Commonwealth countries.
Examples in Context
- “The teacher observed the student’s behaviour throughout the semester.”
- “Corporate behaviour is often influenced by leadership style.”
- “Animal behaviour studies have provided insights into migration patterns.”
Consistency Reminder
Even if you occasionally reference American sources, stick to behaviour in a British English text. Mixing spellings like “behavior” and “behaviour” can confuse your readers and undermine credibility.
Common Mistakes and Confusions
Many writers unintentionally mix spellings because:
- They are used to a different version of English.
- Auto-correct or word processors default to one regional spelling.
- They’re unaware of style guide requirements.
Quick Fix Tips
- Set your language preference: Word processors and writing tools allow you to choose American or British English.
- Check style guides: APA, Chicago, and MLA each have recommendations for regional consistency.
- Be mindful in collaborative writing: Teams with international members should agree on one version of English.
Case Study:
A research paper submitted to a U.S. journal mistakenly used “behaviour” in multiple instances. The editor requested revisions, which delayed publication by two weeks. A simple spell-check using the appropriate language setting would have avoided this problem.
Other Related Words
Spelling differences between American and British English follow predictable patterns, especially with words ending in -or (American) vs -our (British).
| American English | British English | Example Sentence |
| Color | Colour | The color of the sky changes at sunset. |
| Honor | Honour | She received the honour for her community service. |
| Labor | Labour | Manual labour is still vital in construction. |
| Favor | Favour | He did me a favour by picking up groceries. |
| Neighbor | Neighbour | Our neighbour helped us during the storm. |
Patterns to Note:
- -ize in American English often becomes -ise in British English (e.g., realize/realise).
- Words ending in -ense in American English often end in -ence in British English (e.g., defense/defence).
Recognizing these patterns helps writers predict correct spellings, even for words they haven’t seen before.
How to Decide Which Spelling to Use
Choosing between behavior and behaviour isn’t arbitrary. Consider the following factors:
1. Your Audience
- U.S.-based readers → use behavior
- UK, Canada, Australia → use behaviour
2. Your Style Guide
- APA (American Psychological Association): American English, so behavior
- Chicago Manual of Style: Allows both, but stay consistent
- Oxford Style: British English, so behaviour
3. Context of Your Writing
- Academic papers, formal business documents, or publications often specify a preferred spelling.
- Informal writing, blogs, and personal essays allow more flexibility but still require consistency.
4. Tools and References
- Online dictionaries: Merriam-Webster for American English, Oxford English Dictionary for British English
- Grammar tools: Grammarly, ProWritingAid, and Microsoft Word allow region-specific spell checking.
Fun Facts About “Behavior” and “Behaviour”
- Longest usage: “Behaviour” first appeared in English in the 14th century.
- American spelling push: Noah Webster published An American Dictionary of the English Language in 1828, standardizing many simplified spellings, including behavior.
- International influence: Some countries, like Canada, accept both spellings depending on the region and context.
Quote:
“The difference between American and British spelling is not a mistake, it’s a reflection of history, culture, and identity.” – Linguistics expert Dr. Emily Thompson
Tips for Consistent Writing
- Pick a version early: Decide American or British English before starting a project.
- Set your tools accordingly: Configure word processors and grammar checkers to the correct regional spelling.
- Use a style guide: APA, Chicago, MLA, or Oxford can provide clear rules.
- Create a personal spelling checklist: Include frequently used words like behavior/behaviour, color/colour, etc.
- Proofread for consistency: Never rely entirely on auto-correct.
Read More: Left in the Lurch – Meaning, Origin, Examples & Usage
Case Studies and Real-World Examples
Academic Writing
A U.S.-based psychology journal requires “behavior” in all manuscripts. Authors submitting papers with “behaviour” had to revise before acceptance.
Business Reports
A UK marketing firm writing reports for American clients switched to behavior in presentations to align with the audience’s expectations.
Online Content
Global websites like Wikipedia and BBC News often choose spelling based on regional editions:
- BBC UK → behaviour
- BBC America → behavior
These examples highlight how critical correct spelling is for clarity and audience alignment.
Summary Table: Behavior vs Behaviour
| Feature | Behavior | Behaviour |
| Regional Standard | American English | British English |
| Common Usage | U.S. publications, blogs, academic papers | UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand |
| Examples | Child behavior, consumer behavior | Child behaviour, consumer behaviour |
| Historical Background | Noah Webster’s 1828 spelling reform | Traditional British spelling |
| Style Guide Recommendation | APA, Chicago (American docs) | Oxford, UK style guides |
FAQs:
What is the difference between Behavior and Behaviour?
Behavior is the preferred spelling in American English, while Behaviour is used in British English and other English-speaking contexts.
Why do these spelling differences exist?
These differences arise from regional variations in English, shaped by history, culture, and geography. They do not affect the meaning of the words.
When should I use Behavioral or Behavioural?
Use Behavioral in American English and Behavioural in British English. Both describe actions or forms of behavior in writing and communication.
Are behaviors and behaviours correct?
Yes, both are correct derivatives. Choose behaviors for American English and behaviours for British English. Following rules, guides, and practical tips helps learners navigate these differences.
How can I avoid confusion in writing?
Focusing on patterns, examples, practicing, and noting exceptions improves clarity, correctness, and confidence. Using guides, tips, and editorial experience ensures globally-aware writing.
Conclusion:
Understanding Behavior or Behaviour is essential for clear communication in English across American, British, Canadian, and Australian contexts. Paying attention to regional differences, spelling, and derivatives like behavioral or behavioural builds clarity, correctness, and confidence in writing, while reducing confusion for learners and writers alike.
Using practical guides, examples, patterns, and tips from editors and language experts helps navigate diverse audiences, documents, and English-speaking contexts worldwide. This approach ensures smooth, globally-aware communication and strengthens recognition, understanding, and ability to apply Behavior and Behaviour correctly in any form of writing.
Pro Tip: Keep a small reference table handy for common spelling differences—it saves time and maintains consistency.
Aureline Price is a passionate language enthusiast and grammar expert dedicated to helping readers master the art of clear, confident writing. With years of experience in linguistics and content creation, Aureline makes learning grammar simple and enjoyable. She believes that strong communication opens doors to limitless opportunities.
