Autumn vs Fall
What’s the difference between them?
Autumn
Meaning:
Autumn is the season when leaves fall from trees and the weather becomes cooler. It is often associated with harvest time.
Examples:
1. The leaves change color in the Autumn.
2. We always take a family trip in the Autumn.
3. The Autumn air is crisp and refreshing.
Fall
Meaning:
Meaning is the same, but such spelling is mostly used in American English.
Examples:
1. The leaves began to fall off the trees in autumn.
2. It's a long way to fall off that cliff.
3. Falling from such a height could be dangerous.
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
Autumn
Fall
harvest season
Spring
Fall
Fall
harvest season
Spring
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "Autumn", "Fall".
1. 'Autumn' is the preferred term in British English.
2. 'Fall' is preferred in American English.
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Frequently asked questions
When to use the first word 'Autumn'?
Autumn is used to refer to the season of the year that generally occurs between late summer and early winter and is characterized by the changing colours of the leaves on trees. It is also the time of year when the days and nights are of similar length. It is usually used in formal contexts, such as in scientific writing.
When to use the second word 'Fall'?
Fall is generally used to refer to the season of the year that occurs between late summer and early winter. This word is mostly used in American English.
Do the words have the same pronunciation?
No, they are pronounced differently. 'Fall' is pronounced as /fɑːl/, while 'autumn' is pronounced as /ˈɑː.t̬əm/.
What are common mistakes associated with words?
One common mistake is to confuse the words 'Autumn' and 'Fall'. Although they are both used to refer to the season of the year that occurs between late summer and early winter, 'Autumn' is usually used in British English and 'Fall' is usually used in American English.
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. The trees in New England are beautiful during ____ because of the changing leaves.
2. In the UK, people often refer to the season after summer as ____.
3. Pumpkin spice lattes are a popular drink in ____.
4. ____ is a great time to visit London because the city isnt as crowded with tourists.
5. Thanksgiving is a holiday celebrated in ____ in the United States.
6. During ____, the days get shorter and the nights get longer.
1. fall
Explanation: The reference to New England provides a clue that American terminology is to be used, making fall the appropriate choice.
2. autumn
Explanation: The mention of the UK is a direct indicator that British terminology is preferred, so autumn is the correct word.
3. fall
Explanation: While both words could fit contextually, pumpkin spice lattes are particularly associated with American culture and the term fall.
4. autumn
Explanation: The sentence references London, hinting at British terminology and making autumn the correct choice.
5. fall
Explanation: Thanksgiving is a holiday celebrated in the United States. The American term for the season is fall.
6. autumn/fall
Explanation: Theres no specific clue in the sentence to indicate a preference for British or American English, so both autumn and fall are acceptable.
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Download the PDF with a list of commonly confused words made as flashcards for comfortable learning.
List of Commonly Confused Words
Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.