British Theatre Play Spelling People English Word Americans

Spelling can be a major problem for people learning English, and it doesn't help that different "varieties" (types) of English has different spellings for the same word. A "case in point" (example) is the word "theater."

In the U.S., most of the time, we use the word "theater" to mean the place where we go to see movies, plays, and other performances. In British English, people use "theatre."

However, just to make it more "complicated" (not simple), sometimes Americans use "theatre" as well. According to some "sources" (places where information is found), in the U.S., "theater" refers to the building where a play or performance is held, and "theatre" refers to the play or show itself.

Unfortunately, the way that Americans use this word is not so "clear-cut" (definite; easy to define). British English has a high level of "status" (level of respect) in the U.S. When many Americans hear British English, they think of things or people who are "educated," "high class," "formal," and more. And because the British spellings of words are a large part of this country's early beginnings, we sometimes use the British English spellings to associate with those British "roots" (beginnings; origins) and/or to sound old-fashioned or "stately" (having a respectable or dignified appearance). So when we write about going to see a play, we'll almost always use "theater," but some playhouses will use the spelling of "theatre" for their building or group, perhaps to make us think of those positive British "associations" (connections). For example, in Los Angeles "alone" (only), you can see performances at The El Rey Theatre, the Nokia Theatre, the Pantages Theatre, and the Orpheum Theatre, among others.

When using this word, follow this "rule of thumb" (general rule): If you are in the U.S. or communicating with Americans, assume that the spelling is "theater." You'll be right most all of the time.