appear to have learnt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appear to have learnt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's perceived understanding or acquisition of knowledge or skills. Example: "After reviewing the results of the training program, it seems that the participants appear to have learnt the necessary skills effectively."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

They appear to have learnt nothing from their seniors.

The Guardian - Sport

Blaming the banks for tempting them with "cheap money", the Siegels appear to have learnt little from this experience about capitalism, greed and vanity.

The Guardian - Film

It's therefore bitterly disappointing that, at the dawn of the 21st century, we don't appear to have learnt these lessons, or heeded the words of one of the greatest humanitarians of our time.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nor do employees appear to have learnt the lesson.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

But elsewhere, the country appeared to have learnt nothing from the misadventures of the presidential contest earlier this year.

The Guardian

He appears to have learnt that it is a mistake to pretend too hard to be the diehard social conservative he isn't.

The Economist

None of the candidates appears to have learnt from the UK example that cutting government spending in the midst of a once-in-a-hundred-year financial crisis will lower growth, not raise it.

The Guardian - Opinion

In contrast, Rooney appears to have learnt Van Gaal's way very quickly, as the United captain has scored three goals in the league this season – the same as last season and two shy of his record in all competitions – although the red card against West Ham remains a disappointment given the circumstances of his sending off.

Independent

If some individuals become more quickly familiar with the experimental environment and handling procedures, they develop behavior that is considered 'bold', whereas those that have learnt less about their environment appear to have a 'shy' personality type.

Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology

The one thing we appear not to have learnt is how to deliver information about radiation risk to an exposed population.

The Guardian

That was something we were supposed to have learnt from the Holocaust".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider context. If the knowledge or skill is very specific, you could add a noun to emphasize it. For example, "They appear to have learnt the basic principles of quantum physics."

Common error

Avoid using "appear to have learnt" when you have concrete evidence of someone's knowledge or skill. In such cases, stronger verbs like "know", "understand", or "master" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appear to have learnt" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing an assessment or inference. It indicates that, based on available evidence, it seems likely that someone has gained knowledge or skill. As Ludwig AI confirms, it expresses perceived understanding.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "appear to have learnt" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that expresses a perceived acquisition of knowledge or skills. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability for discussing someone's understanding based on observation rather than direct confirmation. While not overly common, it finds its place in various contexts like news, media, and scientific writing. Its versatility allows for expressing an inference or an assessment. The related phrases offer various options, and the best practices are to avoid the phrase when definitive evidence is available, which could allow the writer to achieve better clarity. Overall, the expression is effective for conveying impressions of learning based on indirect evidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seem to have learned

Replaces "appear" with "seem", offering a slightly more common synonym.

appear to have understood

Substitutes "learnt" with "understood", focusing on comprehension rather than skill acquisition.

seem to have grasped

Uses "grasped" in place of "learnt", emphasizing a firm understanding of a concept.

appear to have mastered

Replaces "learnt" with "mastered", indicating a high level of skill or knowledge.

seem to have picked up

Uses "picked up" instead of "learnt", suggesting informal or incidental learning.

appear to have absorbed

Replaces "learnt" with "absorbed", implying a passive intake of information.

seem to have become proficient in

Offers a more formal alternative, specifying proficiency in a particular area.

appear to have gained knowledge of

Replaces "learnt" with "gained knowledge of", emphasizing the acquisition of information.

seem to have become acquainted with

Indicates a basic familiarity or initial learning of something.

appear to have cultivated

Substitutes "learnt" with "cultivated", mostly used for skills or qualities developed over time.

FAQs

What does "appear to have learnt" mean?

The phrase "appear to have learnt" suggests that someone seems to have gained knowledge or a skill based on observation, but without absolute certainty. It implies a perception rather than a confirmed fact.

What's the difference between "seem to have learned" and "appear to have learnt"?

The phrases "seem to have learned" and "appear to have learnt" are largely interchangeable. Both convey a similar sense of something being perceived as true, although not definitively proven. "Seem" is generally considered slightly more common in contemporary usage.

How can I use "appear to have learnt" in a sentence?

You can use "appear to have learnt" to describe someone's progress or understanding. For example: "After the workshop, the participants appear to have learnt new techniques for data analysis."

What are some alternatives to "appear to have learnt"?

Alternatives to "appear to have learnt" include "seem to have understood", "appear to have mastered", or "seem to have grasped". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.