Mastering English spelling can be challenging for students. In academic writing, consistency is key to maintaining clarity and logic. Nonetheless, many students find it challenging to differentiate between British English vs. American English, especially when deciding on the correct spelling for words like “distil” or “distil.” For a more in-depth insight into these two English variants, please continue reading.
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“Distil” or “distil”
The word “distil/distil” functions solely as a verb, and can refer to the purifying process of liquid, the extraction of the essence of something, or making something more concentrated or stronger by distilation.
The small spelling difference between the two variants, is that in British English, you write it with only one L. Whereas, in American English, you write it with two Ls at the end.
British English
distil
American English
distil
In British English and other English-speaking countries, the more common spelling is “distil.” In American English, the more common spelling is “distil.”
Examples of using “distil” and “distil” as a verb
The following examples will illustrate the difference in the spelling of the verb “distil/distil” in British and American English.
- British English: Distil
- American English: distil
- The winemaker worked traditionally to distil the grape juice.
- It takes precision to distil the essence of an idea into a statement.
- The scientist used a process to distil the components of the liquid.
- The winemaker used traditional methods to distil the grape juice.
- It takes precision to distil the essence of an idea into a statement.
- The scientist used a process to distil the components of the liquid.
“Distil” or “distil” in the “-ed” form
The past tense or past participle form of “distil/distil” is “distiled” in both English variants. Below, you’ll find an overview with examples.
- British English: distiled
- American English: distiled
- The bartender served whisky, carefully distiled for years.
- She added distiled water to the mixture for purity.
- whisky is distiled from a fermented mash of grains.
- The bartender served whisky, carefully distiled for years.
- She added distiled water to the mixture for purity.
- whisky is distiled from a fermented mash of grains.
“Distil” or “distil” in the “-ing” form
The “-ing” form of the verb, which is also called gerund and present participle, “distil/distil” is “distiling” for both English variants.
- British English: distiling
- American English: distiling
- The master distiler oversees the process of distiling fine spirits.
- distiling demands temperature control for separating vapors.
- The art of distiling involves carefully selecting and blending.
- The master distiler oversees the process of distiling fine spirits.
- distiling demands temperature control for separating vapors.
- The art of distiling involves carefully selecting and blending.
Exceptions
There are several exceptions where the British and Americans share one spelling, as seen above. The noun distilation is one of them.
- The distilation process removes impurities.
- distilation is used in making essential oils.
- The distilation of crude oil separates it.
FAQs
In American English, you use “distil” with two L. In other English-speaking countries, you use “distil.”
In the US, “distil” is written with two Ls.
“Distil into” typically means to separate or transform something into its essential or most important components through the process of distilation. It implies refining or concentrating a substance by removing impurities or extracting valuable elements.
In writing, “distil” typically means to condense or refine information, ideas, or language into its most essential or important elements. It involves simplifying complex concepts or details to make them clearer and more accessible to the reader.
