I`M EAGER TO KNOW !!! / myLot

Johor Baharu, Malaysia

June 1, 2016 1:55pm CST

When I posted an article on my facebook wall, I used the word "learnt". Soon, there was a comment from an American saying that the word "learnt" had extinct as the dodo birds here in America.It should be learned. Fortunately, a women replied that the word is still applicable in British English. Could native speakers from both English list down some words that have different acceptances in both countries?

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6 responses

Jabo

@jaboUK (64354)

• United Kingdom

1 Jun 16

Leant and learned are equally acceptable in England. I've done whole posts on British v. American English, too many to list here.

2 people like this

Mohd Shahey

@Shahey (215)

• Johor Baharu, Malaysia

1 Jun 16

It's okay then. I felt glad that native speakers were responding the same.

1 person likes this

O'Kennedy

@OKennedy (1130)

• United States

1 Jun 16

In all honesty I think it may just be a difference in personal choice their are words that people just either don't use or change how its used like the word Epic, Wicked and even Learnt. I have heard it and even if it isn't traditionally used I still understand what was meant and I don't find a need to say anything about it.

1 person likes this

M.-L.

@MALUSE (69373)

• Germany

1 Jun 16

As you can see in the link I posted above, it's not a matter of personal choice. All this has been studied by linguists and been put in rules. Of course, it's your choice to follow them or not. In other words: to write correct British or correct American English.

Mohd Shahey

@Shahey (215)

• Johor Baharu, Malaysia

1 Jun 16

@OKennedy maybe because you're a native speaker , so you can easily went into it. but as you said, I think I'll continue with my british way no matter what happen as long l doing it right. thanks .

M.-L.

@MALUSE (69373)

• Germany

1 Jun 16

@Shahey You don't have to defend yourself for using British English! That would be absurd! Do the British have to defend themselves for using British English?

1 person likes this

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earning

@earning (141)

• United Kingdom

3 Jun 16

I am British English, learnt is the usual word to say in everyday speech. At school today I learnt how to .... Yesterday I learnt that if I go ..... Some time ago I learnt never to listen to anything Americans ever say about English :)

1 person likes this

Mohd Shahey

@Shahey (215)

• Johor Baharu, Malaysia

3 Jun 16

Yeah. I learnt British English at school. I'll never listen anything Americans say about English. Thanks

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Just an Ordinary Owl?

@owlwings (43910)

• Cambridge, England

1 Jun 16

Your American correspondent was being a little rude and showing some ignorance. It is true that 'learnt' is less used in the United States but I'm sure that he or she would quite happily say that 'I burnt the toast' or refer to 'a spoilt child'. Here is what the Oxford Dictionary has to say about it:

‘Learnt’ or ‘learned’? - Oxford Dictionaries

www.oxforddictionaries.com

‘Learnt’ or ‘learned’? - Language reference content from Oxford. Help with language usage, grammar questions, punctuation, spelling, and language learning.

1 person likes this

Mohd Shahey

@Shahey (215)

• Johor Baharu, Malaysia

1 Jun 16

There's a moment when sometimes what we wished is not like what we got.

1 person likes this