Learnt vs. Learned: How to Use Learned vs Learnt Correctly?

How to use learnt vs. learned in English? Learn the difference between the verbs Learnt and Learned.

Learnt vs. Learned

What’s the difference between learnt vs. learned?

Learned is used in both British English vs. American English, while learnt is more common in British English.

When to Use Learnt

Outside America, learnt is more common, but learned is generally accepted.

Learnt Examples:

• She recited a poem that she had learnt at school.
• We learnt about the geography of Australia.
• I learnt to drive when I was 17.
• We have not yet learnt to punctuate correctly.
• I learnt to sew at school.
• The child has not learnt his ABC.
• Speech is learnt in the first years of life.

When to Use Learned

In America, learned dominates. The use of learnt as the past tense or past participle of to learn is considered a spelling mistake by many.

Learned Examples:

• She recited a poem that she had learned at school.
• We learned about the geography of Australia.
• I learned to drive when I was 17.
• We have not yet learned to punctuate correctly.
• I learned to sew at school.
• Something is learned every time a book is opened.
• She learned to accept criticism without rancor.

Last Updated on January 13, 2026

Dreamed or Dreamt: Useful Difference between Dreamed vs Dreamt Coriander vs. Cilantro: Difference Between Cilantro vs Coriander British vs. American Spelling Differences ESL Learners Should Know Enquiry vs. Inquiry: How to Use Inquiry vs Enquiry in English?