it was learnt

USAGE SUMMARY

"it was learnt" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that something was learned or obtained through information or experience. For example, "It was learnt that the patient had a history of allergies."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Whether an odorant became a key odorant in a mixture was not correlated to the efficiency with which it was learnt on its own (Figure S1).

Plosone

His father treated him the same way, I know that it was learnt.

BBC

It was learnt from informants that the failure of remote districts to recruit was due to costly and complex procedures surrounding the decentralised recruitment process, combined with the relatively small financial resources and weak institutional capacity of these districts.

BMC International Health and Human Rights

More than sinister, when it was learnt that the killers of Jamie Bulger, an English toddler who was tortured and murdered by two ten-year-old boys in 1993, had been watching videos of this series of films in which a doll called Chucky becomes a vengeful and malevolent spirit.

The Economist

It was learnt and could be unlearnt".

Science Magazine

From the patient's history, it was learnt that he was a bonsai user for 2 years.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Yet again it was learning at its best.

The Guardian

It was learning to fly.

The New York Times

"It was learn, learn, learn".

The New York Times

"It was learning by osmosis.

The New Yorker

It was learned from the British".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was learnt", consider whether a more direct and active voice would improve clarity and impact (e.g., "we learned" or "researchers found").

Common error

Avoid using "it was learnt" excessively in formal writing, as it can make the text sound unnecessarily passive and less engaging. Prefer active voice where possible to emphasize the actor and the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was learnt" functions as a passive construction used to report information that has been acquired or understood. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in various contexts to convey findings or realizations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was learnt" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, primarily used to convey the acquisition of information. As Ludwig AI confirmed, it is often used when emphasizing that something was learned or obtained. While common, especially in Science and News & Media contexts, using a more active voice might be preferable in many situations for increased clarity and impact. Consider alternatives like "it was discovered" or "we learned" to modernize your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was discovered

Replaces "learnt" with "discovered", implying a finding rather than a learning process.

it was found

Similar to "it was discovered", but with a slightly broader application, indicating a finding or observation.

it was understood

Focuses on the comprehension aspect rather than the acquisition of knowledge.

it was realized

Emphasizes the moment of understanding or awareness.

it was determined

Implies a more formal or investigative process leading to the conclusion.

it was ascertained

Suggests a careful and deliberate effort to find something out.

it came to light

Indicates that the information was previously hidden or unknown.

it was brought to light

Similar to "it came to light", but with more emphasis on the act of revealing the information.

it became known

Focuses on the information becoming public or widely acknowledged.

the information was acquired

Highlights the process of gaining the knowledge, emphasizing that it was not already known.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it was learnt" to sound more active?

Consider using alternatives such as "we learned", "research showed", or "it became clear". The best choice depends on the specific context and who performed the learning or discovery.

Is "it was learnt" the same as "it was learned"?

Yes, "learnt" and "learned" are both past participles of the verb "learn". "Learnt" is more common in British English, while "learned" is more common in American English. The meaning is identical.

What's a more modern alternative to "it was learnt"?

Alternatives like "it was discovered", "it was found", or "it became clear" can sound more contemporary and direct.

When is it appropriate to use "it was learnt" in writing?

"It was learnt" is appropriate when you want to emphasize that information was acquired or a realization occurred, particularly when the actor is not the primary focus of the sentence. However, always consider whether an active voice construction would be more effective.