Learnt vs Learned
What’s the difference between them?
Learnt
Meaning:
Learnt is the past tense of the verb 'to learn', meaning to gain knowledge or understanding of a subject or skill through experience, study, or being taught.
Examples:
1. After months of studying, I finally learnt the material.
2. I learnt a lot of Spanish during my time abroad.
3. By making mistakes, I learnt how to be more self-reliant.
Learned
Meaning:
Meaning is the same, but such spelling is mostly used in American English.
Examples:
1. I learned the material quickly for my final exam.
2. She was a very learned person with extensive knowledge.
3. He had learned a lot from his years of experience.
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
Learnt
acquired skills
forget
Learned
acquired skills
forget
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "Learnt", "Learned".
1. Learnt is the past tense of the verb 'learn' in British English.
2. Learned is the past tense of the verb 'learn' in American English.
3. A mnemonic tip to remember which spelling to use is: 'If in American, use 'Learned'; if in Britain, use 'Learnt.'
Practice English with the Promova app and avoid misusing confusing words
Frequently asked questions
When to use the first word?
The first word is 'learnt', which is the past tense of the verb 'learn'. It is used when describing something that a person has acquired or come to understand through experience or study. This spelling is widely used in British English.
When to use the second word?
The second word is 'learned', which is the past participle of the verb 'learn'. This form is typically used when talking about a person who is knowledgeable in a particular subject or has expertise in a particular areThis spelling is widely used in American English.
Do the words have the same pronunciation?
The words are pronounced differently: 'learnt' has a single syllable and is pronounced with a 't' sound at the end, while 'learned' has two syllables and is pronounced with a 'd' sound at the end.
What are common mistakes associated with words?'Learnt', 'Learned'?
One of the most common mistakes is to use 'learnt' instead of 'learned' or vice versIt is important to be aware of the differences between the two words to avoid making mistakes. Another common mistake is to spell 'learnt' with two 't's instead of just one.
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. I have recently ____ how to play the guitar.
2. In my English classes in London, I ____ some interesting idioms.
3. She ____ a lot from her experiences while traveling through the US.
4. Many kids have ____ to read by the age of six.
5. Last summer, he ____ a new language during his stay in Europe.
6. Have you ____ the new rules of the game yet?
1. learned/learnt
Explanation: Without a specific regional clue, both the American English variant learned and the British English variant learnt can be used as the past participle.
2. learnt
Explanation: The clue English classes in London suggests British English, hence learnt is the more suitable past tense form in this context.
3. learned
Explanation: The phrase traveling through the US indicates American English, so learned is the appropriate choice.
4. learned/learnt
Explanation: Without a specific regional clue, both learned and learnt can be used as the past participle.
5. learnt
Explanation: The phrase stay in Europe leans more towards British English, making learnt the more appropriate past tense form.
6. learned/learnt
Explanation: Both variants can be used here as there is no specific regional clue provided in the sentence.
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List of Commonly Confused Words
Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.