were learnt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were learnt" is correct and usable in written English, though it is less common than its alternatives.
You can use it in contexts where you are referring to something that was learned in the past, particularly in British English. Example: "The lessons were learnt from our previous experiences, and we aim to improve moving forward."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

In the evaluation activities, clinical instructors reported that the always (100% of teaching times) and frequently (75 100% of teaching times) used skills were learnt from CbD evaluation demonstrations, while rarely (<25% of teaching times) used skills were learnt from OSCE evaluation demonstration.

BMJ Open

So searing was the experience of Iraq that I'm sure certain lessons were learnt.

The Guardian

Ill-conceived and ill-managed, these campaigns will be seen in future as failures from which, nonetheless, valuable lessons were learnt.

Independent

To the extent that power in Iraq has changed and that foreign military intervention remained circumscribed, it can be argued that the lessons from Iraq were learnt.

Independent

Mr Clegg promised he would not forget the people he met on 8 August and would ensure the lessons were learnt.

Independent

The lessons were learnt so well that he would subsequently encounter little trouble in persuading Galician fishermen, Hebridean weavers, the shepherds of Campania or the Baptist preachers of Georgia's Sea Islands to perform for his microphone, thus opening up these "beautiful and strange" worlds to general view for the first time.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

They were learning.

The New Yorker

Stimuli were learned monocularly.

Plosone

"We were learning together.

Unicef

Lessons have been learnt.

Independent

Nothing has been learnt.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were learnt" in contexts where you wish to convey that lessons or skills have been acquired and integrated from past experiences, particularly in British English or formal settings.

Common error

In American English, the preferred form is 'learned'. If writing for an American audience, use 'were learned' instead of "were learnt" to avoid sounding unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were learnt" functions as the passive past participle form of the verb "learn". It's used to indicate that someone or something received knowledge or a skill. Ludwig examples show it used in contexts where lessons, skills, or techniques were acquired.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

53%

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were learnt" is a grammatically sound and usable expression, especially in British English, indicating that something has been learned in the past. Ludwig's analysis reveals that while correct, it's less common than alternatives like "were learned" in American English. The phrase commonly appears in science and news contexts, leaning towards a neutral to formal register. According to Ludwig AI, it functions as a passive past participle, conveying the completion of a learning process. When writing, consider your target audience; if writing for a British audience, "were learnt" is appropriate, but for an American audience, "were learned" is preferable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been learned

Emphasizes the completion of learning at a point in the past.

had been acquired

Focuses on the act of gaining possession of knowledge or skills.

were assimilated

Highlights the process of integrating new information into existing knowledge.

were understood

Indicates a clear comprehension of concepts or ideas.

were grasped

Implies a quick and intuitive understanding.

were mastered

Suggests a high level of proficiency achieved through learning.

were internalized

Focuses on the deep integration of knowledge or values into one's beliefs.

were discovered

Highlights the finding of information through learning or investigation.

were ascertained

Emphasizes the process of finding something out for certain.

were gleaned

Implies extracting information bit by bit, often from various sources.

FAQs

Is "were learnt" grammatically correct?

Yes, "were learnt" is grammatically correct, particularly in British English, as the past participle of "learn". In American English, "were learned" is more common.

When should I use "were learnt" versus "were learned"?

Use "were learnt" when writing in British English or for an audience familiar with British English conventions. Opt for "were learned" when writing for an American audience or in a more general context.

What are some alternatives to the phrase "were learnt"?

Alternatives include "had been learned", "were acquired", or "were understood", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "were learnt" formal or informal?

The phrase "were learnt" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it is more commonly found in formal writing or speech, especially within British English.