Is Learnt a Word? Unraveling the Mystery of a Grammatical Conundrum

Have you ever encountered the word “learnt” and wondered if it’s a legitimate word? Well, wonder no more! “Learnt” is indeed a word, and VietprEducation is here to delve into its history, usage, and the nuanced differences between “learnt” and “learned.” Join us on this linguistic journey as we explore the intricacies of this word and its place in the English language.

Is Learnt a Word? Unraveling the Mystery of a Grammatical Conundrum

Word	Definition	Usage
Learnt	Past tense and past participle of learn	Used in British English
Learned	Past tense and past participle of learn	Used in American English

I. Is “Learnt” a Word?

A History of “Learnt”

The word “learnt” has a long and storied history, dating back to the 14th century. It is derived from the Old English word “leornian,” which means “to learn.” “Learnt” was once the standard past tense and past participle of “learn” in both British and American English. However, in the 18th century, “learned” began to be used more frequently in American English, and by the 19th century, it had become the standard form. “Learnt” continued to be used in British English, and it is still the preferred form in many parts of the world today.

There are a few reasons why “learned” became the preferred form in American English. One reason is that it is more regular. The past tense of most verbs in English is formed by adding “-ed” to the base form of the verb. For example, “walk” becomes “walked,” and “talk” becomes “talked.” “Learnt” is an irregular past tense form, and it can be difficult for some people to remember. Another reason why “learned” became the preferred form is that it is more distinct from the present tense form of the verb. The present tense of “learn” is “learn,” and the past tense of “learn” is “learned.” This makes it easier to avoid confusion between the two forms.

Learnt is the past tense and past participle of learn in British English.
Learned is the past tense and past participle of learn in American English.
Learnt is still used in some parts of the world, such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

The Usage of “Learnt”

Today, “learnt” is still used in British English, but it is less common than “learned.” It is more likely to be used in formal writing, such as academic papers and legal documents. In informal writing and speech, “learned” is the more common choice. There are a few exceptions to this rule. For example, the phrase “well-learnt” is still commonly used in British English to describe something that has been learned thoroughly.

In American English, “learnt” is rarely used. It is considered to be an archaic or formal word. If you are writing for an American audience, you should use “learned” instead of “learnt.”

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II. The History of “Learnt”

The path of “learnt” dates back to the Middle English word “lernen” or “leornen.”

It was commonly used in English until the 17th century, when the past tense form “learned” emerged as a more frequent alternative.

Related post 1
Year	Event
1066	Battle of Hastings
1170	First recorded use of “learnt” in English literature
1604	“Learned” becomes more common than “learnt”

Currently, “learnt” is still employed in British English, especially in more formal contexts like academic writing or legal documents. In contrast, American English predominantly favors “learned.”

III. The Usage of “Learnt”

Now, “learnt” and “learned” have different usage patterns.

First, “learnt” acts as the past tense of “learn” explicitly referring to knowledge or skills obtained through study or experience. It commonly appears in passive constructions, emphasizing the idea of acquiring understanding.

The child learnt to read by the age of six.
She had learnt a great deal about computer science during her internship.

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Second, “learnt” sometimes signifies a lesson or insight resulting from a particular experience or series of events. In such scenarios, it often appears in the phrase “have learnt.”

Through the challenges he faced, he learnt the value of perseverance.
After the accident, they learnt not to take life for granted.

Third, “learnt” can sometimes convey a sense of realization or enlightenment, recognizing a truth or understanding that was previously obscure.

She learnt that happiness cannot be found in material possessions.
Traveling the world, he learnt the beauty of diversity.

IV. The Usage of “Learnt”

In British English

In British English, “learnt” is the standard past tense and past participle of the verb “learn.” It is used in all contexts, both formal and informal.

Here are some examples of “learnt” used in British English:

Example	Explanation
“I learnt how to drive when I was 17 years old.”	This sentence means that the speaker learned how to drive when they were 17 years old.
“She has learnt a lot about science in her biology class.”	This sentence means that the speaker has learned a lot about science in their biology class.
“We learnt a lot from our mistakes.”	This sentence means that the speaker and their companions learned a lot from their mistakes.

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In American English

In American English, “learned” is the standard past tense and past participle of the verb “learn.” “Learnt” is sometimes used in American English, but it is considered to be a bit formal. It is more common in British English.

Here are some examples of “learned” used in American English:

Example	Explanation
“I learned how to drive when I was 17 years old.”	This sentence means that the speaker learned how to drive when they were 17 years old.
“She has learned a lot about science in her biology class.”	This sentence means that the speaker has learned a lot about science in their biology class.
“We learned a lot from our mistakes.”	This sentence means that the speaker and their companions learned a lot from their mistakes.

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V. The Difference Between “Learnt” and “Learned”

The words “learnt” and “learned” are both past tense and past participle forms of the verb “learn.” However, there is a slight difference in their usage. “Learnt” is more commonly used in British English, while “learned” is more common in American English. This difference in usage is reflected in the spelling of the words, with “learnt” ending in “-t” and “learned” ending in “-ed.”

In general, it is best to use “learnt” when writing in British English and “learned” when writing in American English. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, the word “learned” is always used in the phrase “learned society.” Additionally, the word “learnt” is sometimes used in American English when referring to something that was learned in a formal setting, such as a school or university.

Here are some examples of how “learnt” and “learned” are used in sentences:

I learnt how to play the piano when I was a child. (British English)
I learned how to play the piano when I was a child. (American English)
The learned society held a meeting to discuss the latest research findings.
I learnt a lot about history in my college courses.

As you can see, the words “learnt” and “learned” can be used interchangeably in most cases. However, it is important to be aware of the slight difference in their usage so that you can use them correctly in your writing.

Here are some additional tips for using “learnt” and “learned” correctly:

When in doubt, use “learned.” This is the more common form of the word in both British and American English.
If you are writing in a formal setting, such as a school or university paper, you may want to use “learnt” to show that you are familiar with British English.
If you are writing in a more informal setting, such as a blog post or email, you can use either “learnt” or “learned.” Just be consistent with your usage throughout your writing.

No matter which word you choose to use, make sure that you are using it correctly. This will help you to write clear and concise sentences that are easy for your readers to understand.

Word	Definition	Usage
Learnt	Past tense and past participle of learn	Used in British English
Learned	Past tense and past participle of learn	Used in American English

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The Difference Between “Learnt” and “Learned”

VI. When to Use “Learnt”

Learnt is typically used in formal or academic writing, particularly in British English. It is commonly employed in contexts where the emphasis is on the acquisition of knowledge or skills through study or experience. For instance, one might say, “The student learnt about the history of the Civil War during her history class.” or “The apprentice learnt how to operate heavy machinery during his internship.”

Additionally, learnt can be used in conjunction with certain modal verbs, such as could, should, and would, to express possibilities, obligations, or hypothetical situations. For example, “She learnt how to swim during her summer vacation,” or “One should always learn from their mistakes.”

Examples of “Learnt” in a Sentence:

Tara learnt how to knit from her grandmother during the winter break.

The young engineer learnt the intricacies of coding through online courses.

Having learnt about the dangers of smoking, he decided to quit.

Throughout his travels, he learnt about diverse cultures and customs.

The team learnt valuable lessons from their defeat in the championship.

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VII. When to Use “Learned”

Use “learned” when describing an action or event that took place in the past and resulted in the acquisition of knowledge or skill. This word is commonly used in American English.

Here are some examples of how “learned” can be used in a sentence:

I learned how to ride a bike when I was 10 years old.

She learned to speak French fluently after living in Paris for a year.

He learned about the history of the United States in his history class.

We learned how to solve quadratic equations in math class yesterday.

The students learned about the different parts of a cell in their biology class.

Synonyms for “Learned”
Word	Definition
Educated	Having received or acquired knowledge or skill
Knowledgeable	Having or showing knowledge or understanding
Skilled	Having or showing proficiency or ise in a particular activity
Experienced	Having or showing knowledge or skill as a result of direct observation or participation

VIII. When to Use “Learnt”

Use “learnt” when describing an action or event that took place in the past and resulted in the acquisition of knowledge or skill. This word is commonly used in British English.

Here are some examples of how “learnt” can be used in a sentence:

I learnt how to play the piano when I was a child.

She learnt to speak Spanish fluently after living in Madrid for two years.

He learnt about the history of England in his history class.

We learnt how to solve quadratic equations in maths class yesterday.

The students learnt about the different parts of a cell in their biology class.

Synonyms for “Learnt”
Word	Definition
Acquainted	Familiar or knowledgeable about something
Familiar	Well-known or accustomed to something
Cognizant	Aware or conscious of something
Informed	Having or showing knowledge or awareness

IX. Examples of “Learnt” in a Sentence

Here are a few examples of how “learnt” is used in a sentence:

I learnt how to swim when I was a child.

She learnt a new language in order to communicate with her international colleagues.

We learnt about the history of the city during our guided tour.

I have learnt a lot from my mistakes.

They learnt to work together as a team.

X. Examples of “Learned” in a Sentence

Here are a few examples of how “learned” is used in a sentence:

I learned how to ride a bike when I was 10 years old.

She learned a new skill in order to get a promotion at work.

We learned about the solar system in science class.

I have learned a lot from my experiences.

They learned to be more patient with each other.

How important are these experiences or learnings?Will learning piano help with guitar?Will learning C help with C#?Which learning platform is best?Which learning style?Who learns trick room?Why learn German?

XI. Examples of “Learned” in a Sentence

Here are some examples of how “learned” is used in a sentence:

He learned to play the guitar when he was a child.
She learned how to speak Spanish while living in Mexico.
They learned about the history of the United States in their history class.
The students learned about the scientific method in their science class.
I learned how to cook by watching my mother.

Examples of “Learned” in a Sentence
Sentence	Explanation
In the bustling classroom, students learned the intricacies of calculus, their minds expanding with each intricate equation.	This sentence portrays a classroom setting where students are engaged in learning calculus, highlighting their intellectual growth as they grasp complex mathematical concepts.
Throughout her travels, she learned about diverse cultures, broadening her perspectives and fostering an appreciation for the world’s rich tapestry.	This sentence emphasizes the transformative power of travel, as the individual experiences new cultures and gains a deeper understanding of the world’s diversity.

XII. Conclusion

In conclusion, “learnt” is a word that is used in British English as the past tense and past participle of the verb “learn.” It is the same as “learned,” which is used in American English. While both words are grammatically correct, their usage may vary depending on regional preferences.

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If you have any questions about “learnt” or other grammar-related topics, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’re here to help you learn and grow.

Mai Dinh