Learned or Learnt

[AlicinWelsh]

This one always gets me. Is learnt a European saying? I read a lot of resumes and international students from Europe always use that word. Is it correct in the US?

[MrsCatInTheHat]

It is not correct in writing in the US.There are some oral dialects that use it, especially in the rural south.

[KRay93]

As I understand it, "learnt" is also accepted in US English, although it is hardly used. Now, ths is not to be confused with the adjective "learned". Here that's the only valid option. This differentiation also happens in the past conjugation of other irregular verbs such as "burned/burnt", "dreamed/dreamt", and "spelled/spelt" among others.

[MrsCatInTheHat]

As I understand it, "learnt" is also accepted in US English, although it is hardly used. Now, ths is not to be confused with the adjective "learned". Here that's the only valid option. This differentiation also happens in the past conjugation of other irregular verbs such as "burned/burnt", "dreamed/dreamt", and "spelled/spelt" among others.

Extremely informal, spoken English.

[DATo]

Winston Churchill, who was known for his oratory skills, used the word learnt liberally. I have seen others - English writers - use it too.

[lbhatters]

I am a professional editor (18 years). American English is "learned", British English is "learnt" (or learned). The rule for writing is you need to be consistent. Even though both are correct English, they could be rejected by a publisher if you toggle between two styles of English (British, American, Australian..etc.).