Learned or learnt?

Does it matter how you spell these words?

A customer I was demonstrating Grammar to Go to last week asked this question, and I had to admit that the answer was neither on the site nor in my head. So, true to my word I have now looked it up and here is the answer:

You can always choose.

There is no difference except in the following example:
"Learned" with two syllables so it sounds like "learn-id" as in "my learned friend" is always spelt (spelled?) with a "d".

Spelt or spelled?

American English uses "spelled" more often, and British English prefers "spelt". Sometimes British users emphasise the word by using the "ed" version, as in
"I spelled it out to her letter by letter to make sure she got it right".

So, if you like a simple life, stick to a "t" at all times.

Comments

• “So, if you like a simple life, stick to a “t” at all times.”

  Only if Americans are not amongst your audience. They hate the “t” version (especially of “spelt”, which they associate with grains), whereas most Brits are happy with either.

  By Cecily on 2010 05 05