learning to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "learning to" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It can either be used to express someone's process of acquiring a new skill or knowledge, or to introduce a request for somebody to teach you something. For example: "I'm learning to play the guitar." or "Can you teach me how to make a cake?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Learning To Love Nuclear Waste.

Forbes

She's learning to count.

The New York Times - Health

You're learning to play guitar.

The New York Times

Learning to pronounce "Kweisi Mfume".

The New Yorker

It's learning to reconcile yourself.

The New Yorker

He was learning to code.

The New Yorker

It was learning to fly.

The New York Times

Learning to fly-fish is".

The New York Times

She was learning to cook.

The New York Times

I'm learning to bonefish.

The New York Times

"They're learning to evolve".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "learning to" to describe an ongoing process rather than a completed achievement. For instance, "I am learning to play the piano" indicates current progress.

Common error

Avoid mixing tenses when using "learning to". For example, instead of saying "I have learned to drive when I was 16", say "I learned to drive when I was 16" or "I have been learning to drive since I was 16".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "learning to" functions as a gerund phrase, often serving as part of a verb phrase to describe an ongoing action or process. As Ludwig AI points out, it is used to express the process of acquiring a new skill or knowledge.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "learning to" is a very common and grammatically sound way to express the ongoing process of acquiring a new skill or understanding. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's versatile and can be used in various contexts, although more formal alternatives may be preferable in specific settings. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media, Wiki, and Formal & Business sources. When using "learning to", ensure that the tenses are consistent and that the context accurately reflects an ongoing learning process.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acquiring knowledge of

Focuses on the gaining knowledge process rather than the act of learning.

becoming skilled at

Focuses on the outcome of learning and achieving skill.

developing proficiency in

Emphasizes building skill and competence in a specific area.

training oneself to

Emphasizes self-directed learning and discipline.

gaining expertise in

Highlights the development of expert-level skill.

picking up the skill of

Implies a more informal or casual acquisition of a skill.

cultivating the ability to

Suggests a more deliberate and nurturing approach to acquiring a skill.

getting the hang of

A more informal and colloquial way of saying learning a new skill.

mastering the art of

Suggests achieving a high level of skill and control.

endeavoring to learn

Focuses on the effort and attempt to learn.

FAQs

How can I use "learning to" in a sentence?

Use "learning to" to describe the process of acquiring a new skill or understanding something. For example, "She is learning to code" or "They are learning to adapt to the new environment".

What are some alternatives to "learning to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "acquiring knowledge of", "developing proficiency in", or "gaining expertise in".

Is "learning to" formal or informal?

"Learning to" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, consider your audience and choose more precise language if needed for very formal settings.

What's the difference between "learning to" and "learned to"?

"Learning to" indicates an ongoing process, while "learned to" indicates a completed action. For example, "I am learning to cook" means you are currently in the process of learning, while "I learned to cook" means you have acquired the skill.