What is the most used form ? According to Collins Master Bilingual Dictionary, past and participle of the verb to learn are either learned or learnt, but which of the two do the native speakers prefer?
Learn ------> learned or learnt?
I, an American, definitely prefer "learned". "Learnt" sounds old-fashioned or British to me. So it may depend on which dialect you're learning.
- Kef
- Kef
Americans say "learned" and the British generally say "learnt." "Learnt" seems to carry a certain amount of stigma for native American English-speakers, marking someone who uses it as having a rural, less-educated accent. If you're learning English as a second language, however, Americans will not hold it against you if you say "learnt." They'll just think you sound British.
The situation with "spoil" and "smell" is basically the same. "Spoiled" and "smelled" are definitely more commonly heard in the U.S., and "spoilt" and "smelt" sound less prestigious. In my estimation, "spilt" and "burnt" and perhaps "spelt" are not as objectionable, but still less prestigious than "spilled" and "burned and "spelled." On the other hand, "knelt" and "dreamt" and "leapt" seem to be holding their own in both prestige and usage.
The situation with "spoil" and "smell" is basically the same. "Spoiled" and "smelled" are definitely more commonly heard in the U.S., and "spoilt" and "smelt" sound less prestigious. In my estimation, "spilt" and "burnt" and perhaps "spelt" are not as objectionable, but still less prestigious than "spilled" and "burned and "spelled." On the other hand, "knelt" and "dreamt" and "leapt" seem to be holding their own in both prestige and usage.
I always thought that you say "learnt" after "have", and same with dreamt...