I always thought that writing: colour, favourite etc. was sooo cool! Can an American do this?

Question

I'm an American. I've been one all my life.

But instead of the boring old: color, favorite etc. I'd rather write colour, facourite etc. Is this acceptable on tests, reports, essays etc.?

Answer 1

I would ask your teacher if it is acceptable for those things before doing it.

The accepted American spellings are without the u, so your teacher may take off marks for spelling if he/she doesn't know why you are doing it.

That said, colour, favourite, etc are accepted spellings in most other English-speaking countries, so I'd hope you wouldn't get marks taken off for using those spellings!

Answer 2

The older? The spelling with the 'u' is the older spelling, so you mean you're tired with the new spelling and like the older spelling...

The 'u' is really the only acceptable way to spell it in essays and stuff, so you will most likely get marked down for it.