‘Learnt' vs 'Learned': What's the Difference Between the Two?      

Are you wondering what the difference is between ‘learnt’ and ‘learned’? We’ll clear that up in this article, plus teach you how to use both in a sentence correctly.

In short, the difference between the words is that ‘learnt’ is the British English spelling of the past tense of the word ‘learn.’ ‘Learned’ is the American English spelling of the word.

‘Learnt’ vs. ‘Learned’ – Quick Lesson on the Difference

As you just learned, ‘learnt’ is the British English spelling of the past tense of the word ‘learn.’ ‘Learned’ is the American English spelling of the past tense of the word ‘learn.’

Therefore, they can be used interchangeably if your audience happens to change. Don’t be afraid to swap one out for the other if you need to.

The Difference Between ‘Learnt’ and ‘Learned’  

Both ‘learnt’ and ‘learn’ mean the same thing. The difference is that the former is the British English past tense of the word ‘learn,’ while the latter is the American English spelling.

Definition and Meaning of ‘Learnt’ and ‘Learned’

Let’s define both words, so we know how to use them in a sentence.

According to Merriam-Webster, the definition of ‘learned’ is learning or acquired by learning.

It’s the past tense of the word learn, which means to obtain knowledge and understanding of a skill or to come to realize. It could also mean memorizing or coming to be able.

We know that both words mean the same thing but have different spellings.

Pronunciation: How to Pronounce ‘Learnt’ and ‘Learned’

Unsure of how to pronounce these words? Here’s a short guide.

• To pronounce ‘learnt,’ here’s the phonetic spelling: lUHRnt
• To pronounce ‘learned,’ here’s the phonetic spelling: lUHRnd

How to Use ‘Learnt’ and ‘Learned’ in a Sentence

Now that you know how to pronounce the words, let’s take a look at some examples of how to use them in a sentence.

• I’ve learned a lot in the last two years studying with you. I’m very grateful.
• I have to talk to you about what we’ve just learned. I have a lot of questions.
• You clearly haven’t learned your lesson. You’ve got two more days of punishment, young lady.
• Nowadays, students don’t want to learn. We have to come up with creative ways to teach.
• After 12 years of school, what have we really learned? Except how to memorize facts.
• I was hoping we could go over what we learned in class yesterday.

Remember, these words can be used interchangeably if your audience happens to change. So, wherever you’ve used ‘learned,’ you can swap it out for ‘learnt’ and the meaning will remain unchanged.

Final Thoughts on ‘Learnt’ and ‘Learned’

Now that you know how to use both words in a sentence, what they mean, as well as how to pronounce them, you should feel confident enough to create your own sentences. Use the above examples as a guide.

If you find yourself getting stuck, we’ve got a whole library of content dedicated to explaining confusing words and phrases you might come across while learning the language. Go check it out.