In every situation the word learned would be pronounced as ['lə:nid] ?

Forums: English, Esl, Grammar
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1) He is a learned scholar;

2) He has learned how to ski.

The same?

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@oristarA,

No, 'learn-ed', as in your first example is an adjective.
Learned - as in your second sentence- is a verb.

They are pronounced differently - the adjective is pronounced with two syllables and the verb 'learned' is pronounced with one.

You can also spell the past tense of the verb 'learn' - 'learnt- and it is pronounced as spelled- or 'spelt'.

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@aidan,

aidan wrote:

No, 'learn-ed', as in your first example is an adjective.
Learned - as in your second sentence- is a verb.

They are pronounced differently - the adjective is pronounced with two syllables and the verb 'learned' is pronounced with one.

When serves as an adj, reads ['lə:nid]?
When a verb, ['lə:nd]?

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Not quite. A learned response would be pronounced just as the past participle of the verb is pronounced, and means a response acquired as a result of learning, rather than an instinctive response.

In fact, learned pronounced as in your first example is uncommon, and is, for as far as i can recollect at the moment, only pronounced that way when the adjective is used to describe a person renowned for their learning.

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@Setanta,

Cool.
['lə:nd] is the common pronunciation for learned?
Thank you.

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@oristarA,

Yes, it is the almost invariable pronunciation, with the exception i noted. Past participles are only pronounced in that manner in a very few, specific cases, or when needed to sustain the meter in poetry.

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@Setanta,

Thank you.

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@Setanta,

Quote:

In fact, learned pronounced as in your first example is uncommon, and is, for as far as i can recollect at the moment, only pronounced that way when the adjective is used to describe a person renowned for their learning.

I think "learned" [lur-ned] may be more accurately described as something connected to advanced learning. It's not simply used to "describe a person renowned for their learning", as we can see in the phrase, "a learned response".

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In every situation the word learned would be pronounced as ['lə:nid] ?

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