Writing
Task 1 Email Template
Practice writing with proper Canadian spelling in formal emails.
Open lesson
Grammar & Vocabulary
Canadian English Rules
for CELPIP
Because CELPIP stands for the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program, the test uses Canadian English. Here is exactly what that means for your spelling, vocabulary, and grammar.
The Golden Rule: Consistency
Will you lose points if you use American or British spelling on the CELPIP? No.
CELPIP accepts both American and British spelling conventions, as Canadian English is effectively a hybrid of both. However, you must be consistent. If you use "color" in paragraph one, do not use "colour" in paragraph two. Mixing regional spellings in the same response will result in a penalty for inconsistency.
Spelling Differences
If you want to write using strict Canadian spelling conventions to impress the graders, here are the core rules to follow. Canadian spelling generally prefers the British "-our" and "-re", but uses the American "-ize".
Words ending in -our
Canadians use the British "-our" ending for words of French origin, rather than the American "-or".
- 🇨🇦 Colour, FavourColor, Favor
- 🇨🇦 Neighbour, LabourNeighbor, Labor
- 🇨🇦 Behaviour, HonourBehavior, Honor
Words ending in -re
Canadians generally use the British "-re" ending instead of the American "-er".
- 🇨🇦 Centre, TheatreCenter, Theater
- 🇨🇦 Litre, MetreLiter, Meter
- 🇨🇦 Fibre, CalibreFiber, Caliber
Words ending in -ize
Unlike the UK which prefers "-ise", Canada aligns with the US and prefers "-ize".
- 🇨🇦 Realize, OrganizeRealise, Organise
- 🇨🇦 Analyze, ApologizeAnalyse, Apologise
- 🇨🇦 Recognize, EmphasizeRecognise, Emphasise
Double Consonants
When adding suffixes (-ed, -ing), Canadians double the final consonant like the UK.
- 🇨🇦 Travelling, TravelledTraveling, Traveled
- 🇨🇦 Cancelling, CancelledCanceling, Canceled
- 🇨🇦 Signalling, EnrolmentSignaling, Enrollment
Unique Canadian Vocabulary
Using these Canadianisms in your Speaking and Writing tasks can make your responses sound more natural and localized, which graders appreciate.
| Canadian Word | Meaning / US Eq. | Example Usage in CELPIP |
|---|---|---|
| Washroom | Restroom / Bathroom | "Excuse me, could you tell me where the washroom is?" |
| Toque (pronounced "toot") | A knitted winter hat | "Don't forget to wear your toque, it's freezing outside!" |
| Runners | Sneakers / Tennis shoes | "I need to buy new runners before joining the gym." |
| Double-double | Coffee with 2 creams/sugars | "I usually grab a double-double on my way to work." |
| Eavestrough | Gutter (on a roof) | "I spent the weekend cleaning the eavestroughs." |
| Parkade | Parking garage | "I left my car on the third level of the parkade." |
Important Grammar Rules
The Oxford Comma
The Oxford Comma (the comma before "and" in a list of three or more items) is entirely optional in Canadian English.
Acceptable: I bought apples, bananas, and oranges.
Acceptable: I bought apples, bananas and oranges.
Acceptable: I bought apples, bananas and oranges.
Rule: Pick one and be consistent.
Quotation Marks
Unlike the UK which often uses single quotes (' '), Canadian English follows the US rule and uses double quotes (" ") for primary quotations.
Correct 🇨🇦 "The meeting starts at noon," she said.
British Style 🇬🇧 'The meeting starts at noon,' she said.
British Style 🇬🇧 'The meeting starts at noon,' she said.
Continue learning
Apply this knowledge in your practice sessions