I have often been asked this question: Which is the correct past tense of learn – learned or learnt? Well, the answer is simple. Both are correct. Yes, both learned and learnt may be used as the past of learn depending on which form of English you’re using. Learned is used in American English, and learnt in British English. But these days, due to the influence of American English, learned is also being written in Britain. So, in short, both the forms are correct. The only thing to remember is – whichever form you use, be consistent. Don’t use both learned and learnt together.
There’s just one case where only learned is used – whether British or American English. This is when used as an adjective meaning “possessing or demonstrating profound knowledge”. For example, ‘a learned person’ or ‘a learned response’. In this case, learned is pronounced with two syllables – “learn” and “ed”, unlike learned as a verb where it’s just one syllable.
There are some other verbs that have both ‘ed’ (American) and ‘t’ (British) endings for past tense:
Spell – spelled, spelt
Leap – leaped, leapt
Burn – burned, burnt
Spill – spilled, spilt
Spoil – spoiled, spoilt
Dream – dreamed, dreamt
Kneel – kneeled, knelt
Can you think of any more?
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Great article, thanks, really helpful.
Very clear and suscinct. I had become confused–which isn’t unusual of course. Thanks very much.
Great info. Thanks for that! I didn’t realize that the difference in usage was due to British/American usage. Very interesting.
Weird story – I always thought the ‘ed’ and the ‘t’ endings denoted how quickly the action passed: like if the cat leaped, it did it over a long distance, or in slow motion; but if it leapt, it did it quite quickly or decisively.
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I realise, after having read this, that that was just me accounting for American and British influences on Australian schooling. Thanks for setting me straight! (I’ll be sticking to British English
I thought the different suffixes were for different purposes. e.g.
I burned the toast. (past tense verb)
The toast is burnt. (adjective)
Anyone?
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“Don’t use both learned and learnt together.”
You state and break the rule simultaneously!