Here's a breakdown:
Countries that use varieties of English largely considered to be closer to British English:
* United Kingdom: The most obvious example.
* Canada: While Canadian English has its own unique features, it is largely based on British English.
* Australia: Australian English has its own distinct accents and vocabulary, but it is considered closer to British English than American English.
* New Zealand: Similar to Australia, New Zealand English has a unique character but is more aligned with British English.
* Ireland: While Irish English has its own distinct features, it also shares many similarities with British English.
* India: English is an official language in India, and the varieties spoken there often have strong British English influences.
* Pakistan: Similar to India, English is an official language in Pakistan, and the varieties spoken there often have strong British English influences.
* Many African countries: English is an official language in many African countries, and the varieties spoken there often have strong British English influences.
* Caribbean countries: Many Caribbean countries have English as an official language, and their varieties of English often show British English influences.
Important points:
* No single "British English": Even within the UK, there are regional variations in accents and vocabulary.
* Influence of American English: American English has had a considerable influence on English usage globally, including in the UK.
* "Standard" English: While many people refer to British English as "standard" English, this is a somewhat outdated and subjective view. There is no universally accepted "standard" English.
Ultimately, the English language is a living, evolving entity with many different varieties. It's more accurate to talk about specific varieties of English, such as British English, American English, Australian English, etc., rather than making broad generalizations about countries using "British English" versus "American English."