I learnt that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'I learnt that' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when someone has told you something new, or when you have found out some information and are conveying it to someone else. For example: "I learnt that the new library hours are 9am - 4pm starting next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I learnt that off him.

Independent

I learnt that years ago".

The Guardian - Sport

Over the day I learnt that projection into the future was unthinkable.

The Guardian - Travel

So I learnt that – I learnt – I certainly learnt a hell of a lot more in terms of urban development, et cetera, et cetera.

BMC Public Health

I learnt that early on.

Independent

I learnt that from Tommy Cooper.

The Guardian - Travel

And I learnt that this moment will pass.

Independent

I learnt that one in every five women is childless.

Independent

I learnt that this was something humans had created.

The Guardian - Opinion

I learnt that I must never finish a book with nothing else to do".

Independent

He also wrote, "I learnt that HMS Vanguard is in the worst of the worst condition".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I learnt that" to introduce a piece of information you've newly acquired, whether through direct experience, someone else's account, or a specific source.

Common error

While "learnt" is a valid past tense and past participle of "learn" in British English, it's less common in American English. In American English, "learned" is the preferred form. Choose the form that aligns with your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I learnt that" serves as a sentence opener, introducing a statement of newly acquired knowledge or understanding. It connects the speaker to the information being presented, indicating a personal learning experience. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"I learnt that" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to introduce information that the speaker has recently discovered or been informed of. While the spelling "learnt" is more prevalent in British English, remember that "learned" is the standard American English form. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is readily usable in diverse contexts, and while various alternatives exist, it's important to select the option that best suits the context and desired level of formality. Use this phrase when you wish to emphasize a personal learning experience and convey newly acquired knowledge.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I found out that

Emphasizes the discovery aspect of learning something new.

I discovered that

Highlights the element of uncovering previously unknown information.

I realized that

Focuses on gaining a new understanding or awareness.

I came to understand that

Suggests a gradual process of learning and comprehension.

I gathered that

Implies learning through observation or inference.

I ascertained that

Indicates a more formal and thorough process of finding something out.

It came to my attention that

Highlights that the information was brought to one's notice.

I was informed that

Emphasizes receiving information from an external source.

I now know that

Focuses on present knowledge as a result of past learning.

I have come to learn that

Expresses a realization made over time.

FAQs

How can I use "I learnt that" in a sentence?

Use "I learnt that" to introduce information you've recently discovered or been informed of. For example, "I learnt that the museum is free on Tuesdays."

What's a more formal way to say "I learnt that"?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "I ascertained that" or "I discovered that", depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "I learnt that" or "I learned that"?

Both "I learnt that" and "I learned that" are grammatically correct, but "learnt" is more common in British English, while "learned" is preferred in American English. Your choice depends on your target audience.

What can I say instead of "I learnt that" to emphasize a gradual understanding?

If you want to emphasize a gradual process of understanding, you could use "I came to understand that", which suggests a more progressive realization.