Learned vs Learnt
The confusion people experience in deciding when to use learned and learnt is because of the slight difference that exist between learned and learnt. It is interesting to note that both the words, namely, learned and learnt are different forms of the verbal root ‘learn’. In fact, it can be said that they are derived from the verbal root ‘learn’. Therefore, if we are to look at the history of the verbs learned and learnt we have to look at the verb learn. The origin of the verb learn is found in the Old English word leornian . Moreover, learnability and learnable are two derivatives of the verb learn.
What does Learnt mean?
According to British English, the verb learn is an irregular verb. As a result, the past tense and the past participle of the verb learn in British English is learnt. Therefore, if you are using British English you have to make sure to use learnt as the past tense and the past participle. Observe the following examples.
He learnt the song very fast.
He has learnt how to do it.
She had learnt the art of playing the game of bridge.
If you have a close look at the examples given above you will see how the verb learnt is used. In the first sentence, the verb learnt is used as the sentence is in the simple past tense. Then, in the second and third sentences, the verb learnt is used as the past participle along with the auxiliary verbs has and had. The second sentence is in present perfect tense ( has/ have + past participle) while the third sentence is in the past perfect tense (had + past participle).
What does Learned mean?
According to American English, the verb learn is a regular verb. As a result, the past tense and the past participle of the verb learn in American English is learned by adding –ed to the root verb learn. Therefore, if you are using American English you have to make sure to use learned as the past tense and the past participle. Observe the following examples.
He learned the trick very fast.
You have learned it from him.
She had learned her lines well.
If you have a close look at the examples given above you will see how the verb learned is used. In the first sentence, the verb learned is used as the sentence is in the simple past tense. Then, in the second and third sentences, the verb learned is used as the past participle along with the auxiliary verbs has and had. The second sentence is in present perfect tense( has/ have + past participle) while the third sentence is in the past perfect tense (had + past participle).
The word learned is used in the sense of ‘someone who has mastered an art or science’ as in the sentences given below.
He is a learned man.
They are learned in the art of fencing.
In both the sentences mentioned above, the word learned is used in the sense of ‘someone who has mastered an art or science’. The word learned is thus used as an adjective too.
What is the difference between Learned and Learnt?
• Both the words, namely, learned and learnt are different forms of the verbal root ‘learn’.
• The verb learnt is used as the past tense and past participle in British English.
• The verb learned is used as the past tense and past participle in American English. This is the main difference between the two words learned and learnt.
• The word learned is used in the sense of ‘someone who has mastered an art or science’.
These are the differences between the two words learned and learnt.
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