Distil Or distil – British English vs. American English

10.06.24 British English vs. American English Time to read: 3min

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Mastering English spelling can be challenging for students. In academic writing, consistency is key to maintaining clarity and logic. Nonetheless, many students find it challenging to differentiate between British English vs. American English, especially when deciding on the correct spelling for words like “distil” or “distil.” For a more in-depth insight into these two English variants, please continue reading.

“Distil” or “distil”

The word “distil/distil” functions solely as a verb, and can refer to the purifying process of liquid, the extraction of the essence of something, or making something more concentrated or stronger by distilation.

The small spelling difference between the two variants, is that in British English, you write it with only one L. Whereas, in American English, you write it with two Ls at the end.

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British English

distil

Distil-or-distil-US-flag

American English

distil

In British English, the more common spelling is “distil,” whereas in American English, the more commonly used spelling is “distil.”

Examples of using “distil” and “distil” as a verb

The following examples will illustrate the difference in the spelling of the verb “distil/distil” in British and American English.

  • British English: Distil
  • American English: distil
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  • The winemaker worked traditionally to distil the grape juice.
  • It takes precision to distil the essence of an idea into a statement.
  • The scientist used a process to distil the components of the liquid.
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  • The winemaker used traditional methods to distil the grape juice.
  • It takes precision to distil the essence of an idea into a statement.
  • The scientist used a process to distil the components of the liquid.

“Distil” or “distil” in the “-ed” form

The past tense or past participle form of “distil/distil” is “distiled” in both English variants. Below, you’ll find an overview with examples.

  • British English: distiled
  • American English: distiled
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  • The pubtender served whisky, carefully distiled for years.
  • She added distiled water to the mixture for purity.
  • whisky is distiled from a fermented mash of grains.
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  • The pubtender served whisky, carefully distiled for years.
  • She added distiled water to the mixture for purity.
  • whisky is distiled from a fermented mash of grains.

“Distil” or “distil” in the “-ing” form

The “-ing” form of the verb, which is also called gerund and present participle, “distil/distil” is “distiling” for both English variants.

  • British English: distiling
  • American English: distiling
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  • The master distiler oversees the process of distiling fine spirits.
  • distiling demands temperature control for separating vapors.
  • The art of distiling involves carefully selecting and blending.
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  • The master distiler oversees the process of distiling fine spirits.
  • distiling demands temperature control for separating vapors.
  • The art of distiling involves carefully selecting and blending.

Exceptions

There are several exceptions where the British and Americans share one spelling, as seen above. The noun distilation is one of them.

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  • The distilation process removes impurities.
  • distilation is used in making essential oils.
  • The distilation of crude oil separates it.
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FAQs

In American English, you use “distil” with two L. In other English-speaking countries you use “distil.”

In the US, “distil” is written with two Ls.

“Distil into” typically nastys to separate or transform something into its essential or most important components through the process of distilation. It implies refining or concentrating a substance by removing impurities or extracting valuable elements.

In writing, “distil” typically nastys to condense or refine information, ideas, or language into its most essential or important elements. It involves simplifying complex concepts or details to make them clearer and more accessible to the reader.

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Melissa Gertschnig

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About the author

Melissa Gertschnig works as a Junior Content Manager for the English market at BachelorPrint. A love for languages and other cultures has led her to become a foreign language correspondence clerk, with a primary focus on English and Spanish. This gained her a high proficiency English level in listening, writing, and reading. During her training, Melissa had been awarded a Level 2 Pearson LCCI Certificate for Business English. While working full-time, she earned her certificate in Online Marketing, which ultimately led her to BachelorPrint, where she delivers professionally written and educational content for students all around the world.

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