Endeavour Or Endeavor – British vs. American English

25.03.24 British English vs. American English Time to read: 5min

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The widespread adoption of English around the world has led to the emergence of diverse dialects. In academic writing, the pursuit of linguistic consistency is crucial to maintaining coherence and adhering to the principles of academic integrity. The distinction of British English vs. American English is particularly significant, marked by noticeable differences in spelling conventions. Below, we will explore the case of “endeavour” and “endeavor.”

“Endeavour” or “endeavor”

“Endeavour,” in British English, or “endeavor,” in American English, can act as a noun and a verb with closely related meanings. As a noun, an “endeavour/endeavor” refers to an attempt, ambition, or effort toward achieving something. It denotes a serious sustained effort to accomplish a task, objective, or goal. Essentially, the word implies a level of determination and exertion in pursuing a specific aim.

The related verb “to endeavour/to endeavor” describes the act of trying hard to do or achieve something. It involves making an earnest effort or striving with determination towards a particular goal, encapsulating the action of exerting oneself to fulfill an objective or reach an achievement.

Both versions, “endeavour” and “endeavor” are correctly spelled, but as mentioned above, in different dialects.

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British English

endeavour

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American English

endeavor

The British version of “endeavour” follows the British spelling conventions like the common suffix “-our” at the end, while in the US, the word “endeavor” is spelled without the “u” at the end. Depending on what linguistic pattern you choose for your academic work, it is essential to stick to the same spelling conventions throughout the entire paper to ensure academic integrity and credibility. Therefore, it is crucial to be able to differentiate between British and American English.

Note: The suffix “-our” is a common British spelling convention, distinguishing it from the American English spelling, which is “-or.” It is one of the most notable distinctions between British and American spelling rules.

Examples of using “endeavour” and “endeavor” as a noun

The following example sentences illustrate the correct usage of “endeavour/endeavor” as a noun, highlighting its meaning as an attempt, effort, or striving towards a goal.

  • British English: “Endeavour”
  • American English: “Endeavor”
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  • Their endeavour to establish a local library brought them closer.
  • Completing the marathon was a great personal endeavour for her.
  • His endeavour to learn French was inspired by going to Paris.
Endeavour-or-endavor-examples-noun-US-flag
  • Their endeavor to establish a local library brought them closer.
  • Completing the marathon was a great personal endeavor for her.
  • His endeavor to learn French was inspired by going to Paris.

Examples of using “endeavour” and “endeavor” as a verb

“To endeavour” or “to endeavor” represent the verb form in their respective dialects. Here are three example sentences, showcasing how to use them correctly in sentence structures.

  • British English: “To endeavour”
  • American English: “To endeavor”
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  • We will endeavour to complete the project before the deadline.
  • He endevours to learn a new language, studying every day.
  • I endeavour to find a solution to the problem as soon as possible.
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  • We will endeavor to complete the project before the deadline.
  • He endeavors to learn a new language, studying every day.
  • I endeavor to find a solution to the problem as soon as possible.

“Endeavour” or “endeavor” in the “-ing” form

When the verb “to endeavour/endeavor” is used in its inflected “-ing” form, it becomes “endeavouring” in British English and “endeavoring” in American English. This form indicates the present participle, implying an ongoing action of trying with great effort to achieve something. Here are three example sentences using “endeavouring/endeavoring.”

  • British English: “Endeavouring”
  • American English: “Endeavoring”
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  • The group is currently endeavouring to resolve the technical issues.
  • She was endeavouring to complete her novel, writing every day.
  • He is endeavouring to strengthen his skills by taking extra courses.
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  • The group is currently endeavoring to resolve the technical issues.
  • She was endeavoring to complete her novel, writing every day.
  • He is endeavoring to strengthen his skills by taking extra courses.

“Endeavour” or “endeavor” in the “-ed” form

In its inflected “-ed” form, the word becomes “endeavoured” in the British dialect and “endeavored” in the American dialect. This form implies the past tense or the past participle of the verb, illustrating that the action of trying with great effort to achieve something has already occurred in the past. Below are example sentences with the word “endeavour/endeavor” in its “-ed” form.

  • British English: “Endeavoured”
  • American English: “Endeavored”
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  • They endeavoured to maintain a positive outlook for the project.
  • The diplomat endeavoured to negotiate peace between the parties.
  • She endeavoured to expand her skill by attending workshops.
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  • They endeavored to maintain a positive outlook for the project.
  • The diplomat endeavored to negotiate peace between the parties.
  • She endeavored to expand her skills by attending workshops.

FAQs

“Endeavour” represents the British spelling, while “endeavor” represents the American spelling. As a noun, it refers to the effort made toward a goal, and as a verb, it refers to the act of attempting something by expenditure of effort.

The following shows how to use “endeavour/endeavor” in a sentence as a noun and as a verb.

  • Noun: She made every endeavour/endeavor to arrive on time.
  • Verb: She endeavours/endeavors to arrive on time.

In Canada, the British spelling conventions are primarily preferred, so the standard choice of it would be “endeavour” in Canadian English.

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Salome Stolle

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Salome Stolle works as the brand manager for the English market at BachelorPrint. Throughout her 12-year residency in Denmark, she completed her International baccalaureate and Master’s in Culture, Communication, and Globalization with a specialization in media and market consumption. Through this experience, she has gained advanced competencies in academic writing and a high proficiency level in the English language. With her passion for writing, she does not only deliver well-written content but also strives to adjust to the students’ demands.

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