In English, many words are similar in pronunciation and meaning but differ in spelling. These linguistic pairs can create difficulty and confuse even the most skilled writers. If you are also confused about their differences and usage, don’t worry—this blog will help you answer all your questions.
Many pairs of words are confusing because of the different usages in British and American English. Similarly, one pair ‘learnt vs. learned’ is one of them. Let’s understand their difference and how to use the two words correctly.
What is the Difference Between Learned and Learnt?
The word learned is an adjective derived from a verb meaning “to learn”. The words learnt and learned have the same meaning but their usage can be confusing. The usage of ‘learnt’ and ‘learned’ depends on the dialects of English you are using. It could be American, Australian, British or Canadian English. The below table highlights the main difference between “learnt vs learned” and its correct usage in relevant English.
| Learnt | Learned | |
| Pronounciation | Luhnt | [LUR] + [NUHD] |
| Correct Spelling | Australia and British English | American English and Canad |
| Context | “Learnt” is used in a context that talks about an event learned in the past. | The word “learned” is used in a context that describes something discovered from a past event. |
| Parts of Speech | Verb form (Past tense and Past Participle) | Adjective (Past participle) and Rarely verb |
| Correct Usage | More formal in British English, such as academic papers, novels, or formal correspondence. | Often used in academic/professional writing, it is more common in informal speech and writing. |
| For Example |
Understanding When to Use “Learnt” and “Learned”
It is very important to understand the correct usage of “learnt” and “ learned” in a sentence. Appropriate contextual understanding helps one gain confidence in using these words correctly. Here are some examples highlighting the correct usage of learnt and learned.
| Examples of “Learnt” | ||
| Correct Sentences | Incorrect Sentences | |
| Samia learnt French more quickly than her classmates. | Haris was more learnt than his colleague. | |
| Asad has learnt more languages than anyone else in the office. | They learnt Spanish quicker than French. | |
| She learnt to play the piano when she was a child. | She learnt to playing the piano when she was a child. | |
| I learnt a lot about history during my visit to the museum. | I learns a lot of about history during my visit to the museum. | |
| They have learnt from their mistakes and are now more careful. | They has learnt from their mistakes and are now more careful. | |
| Examples of “Learnt” | ||
| Correct Sentences | Incorrect Sentences | |
| Jamshaid has learned more languages than anyone else in the office. | They learnt Spanish quicker than French. | |
| I learned to play new video games when I was four years old. | I learns to play new video games when I was four years old. | |
| She learned to tie her shoelaces much quicker than her brother. | She learns to tie her shoelaces much quicker than her brother. | |
| James learned to dance by repeatedly watching Netflix movies. | James learn to dance by repeatedly watching Netflix movies. | |
| Sheila first learned about her husband’s affair while browsing social media. | Sheila first learns about her husband’s affair while browsing social media. | |
When Do Americans Use Learned vs. Learnt?
“Learned” is a standard word used in American English. Most English-speaking countries still use the British English form of learnt. The only exceptions are the US and Canada.
Their speakers always use “learned” unless they write British English publications like
- A recently published blog by Andy Borowitz (NY Times) “What We Learned and When We Learned It.”
- Publications posted by Meghan Kavanaugh (USA Today) “I Learned How to Crochet in One Day with This Simple Kit”
Is Learnt a Word in Australian English?
Yes, Learnt is an Australian English word. It is used formerly in Australia and the US. It is a past tense and past participle of the verb ‘learn’. The word ‘learnt’ is commonly used in written contexts, such as academic papers, novels, or formal correspondence. It also functions as a verb and refers to gaining knowledge and can relate skills from the past.
Learnt can be combined with auxiliary verbs like has, have, and had to form present perfect and past perfect in British English. The only exceptions to these words lie in the US and Canada. Both spellings are grammatically correct within their respective dialects. There’s no need to rewrite a perfectly good Australian sentence using “learned” just because you’re referencing American sources.
For Example:
- The newly learnt details contradict long-held beliefs.
- I have learnt five new courses through online platforms.
- The football team had learnt valuable lessons from their previous failed results.
The same convention is followed for other words, such as dreamed vs dreamt.
The Exception: When “Learned” is the Only Option
Unlike “learned,” “learnt” cannot be used as an adjective. “Learned” is increasing in popularity because of the strong influence of American English. To use the word ‘learn’ as an adjective the only correct option is “learned”, no matter where you live.
For Example:
- Mr. John is a learned professor who has written many books on sociology.
- Her learned insights provided a new perspective on how to resolve the issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Both “learnt” and “learned” are correct forms of the past tense and past participle of the verb “learn” in Australian and American English respectively. For example: “She learnt a new skill yesterday” (AUS English) or “She learned a new skill yesterday” (American English).
Yes, writing “learnt” is grammatically correct, especially in British English. It is the past tense and past participle form of the verb “learn” and is widely accepted in standard English. However, it’s important to be consistent with regional spelling conventions.
Both “I’ve learnt” (Australian English) and “I’ve learned” (American English) are correct. The choice depends on the variant of English you’re using. For example: “I’ve learnt a lot from this experience” (British English) or “I’ve learned a lot from this experience” (American English).
Both “a lesson learned” (American English) and “a lesson learnt” (Australian English) are grammatically correct. The choice depends on the variant of English you’re using. For example: “It was a valuable lesson learned” (American English) or “It was a valuable lesson learnt” (Australian English).
Both “one thing I have learned” (American English) and “one thing I have learnt” (Australian English) are correct. The choice depends on the variant of English you’re using. For example: “One thing I have learned is the importance of perseverance” (American English) or “One thing I have learnt is the importance of perseverance” (Australian English).
Both “today I learned” (American English) and “today I learnt” (Australian English) is grammatically correct. The choice depends on the variant of English you’re using. For example: “Today I learned about a new scientific discovery” (American English) or “Today I learnt about a new scientific discovery” (Australian English).”
The third form of “learn” is “learned” in American English and “learnt” in Australian English. Both forms are past participles used in perfect tenses. For example: “She has learned a lot from her experiences” (American English) or “She has learnt a lot from her experiences” (Australian English).
