Learned or learnt

[bittu]

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #83 "Past Participle Sentences", question 1

Had I been able to go to school as a child, I would have ......... how to read.

(a) learned
(b) learn
(c) learning
(d) had learn

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #83 "Past Participle Sentences", answer 1

Had I been able to go to school as a child, I would have learned how to read.

Correct answer: (a) learned
_________________________

Hi.
what is the third form of learn??? is "learned " correct?or learnt is correct????
thanks

bittu

[Daniela]

Hi Bittu,
Both are possible:
learn - learned - learned
learn - learnt - learnt
Enjoy the tests!
_________________
English Language Learning Online
Learn English with Daniela

[Frank Stern]

I think the correct phrase should be:
If I had been able to go to school as a child, I would have learned how to read.

[Roseni]

correct sentence:
Had I been able to go to school as a child, I would have learned how to read.

Correct answer: (a) learned

Your answer was: incorrect
your sentence:
Had I been able to go to school as a child, I would have had learn how to read.

why i cannot used "had learn",

I aggreed with Frank Stern; it should be like that- "If I had been able to go to school as a child, I would have learned how to read."

thanx

[Frank Stern]

Hi:
As a consequence, the original sentence: "Had I been able to go to school as a child, I would have ______ how to read"
Should be changed in the database by: "If I had been able to go to school as a child, I would have _____ how to read."

Regards
Frank Stern

[Mister Micawber]

.
No. Both are fine.
.
_________________
Canadian-American native speaker
who teaches English for a living at Mister Micawber's
ESL cafe: Interview with Mr. Micawber

[Marica]

Hi,Mister Micawber,

I didn't know that if I change to position of the auxiliary verb in an "if clause " I do not have to use the word "if'.
It wasn't clear for me why in some sentences they change the place of the auxiliary verb and it's not a question .
But now I understand,
Thank you.

[Frank Stern]

Hi,
I would like to check the next rule derived from the last message:
"In any affirmative If clause the if word can be omited if the auxiliary verb is switched with the subject".
Can you explain a little more? Please give me also some examples.
Thank you

[Mister Micawber]

.
You derived it; I didn't. I don't know whether it holds or not.
.
_________________
Canadian-American native speaker
who teaches English for a living at Mister Micawber's
ESL cafe: Interview with Mr. Micawber

[Frank Stern]

Hi M Micawber:
This rule was correctly or incorrectly derived from the messages posted before. But the important issue here is that you have said that both of the next sentences are correct:
A: "Had I been able to go to school as a child, I would have ______ how to read"
B: "If I had been able to go to school as a child, I would have _____ how to read."
I have now more questions:
1) Why phrase A is correct, even though it does not have the “If” word?
2) Phrase A is equivalent to phrase B?
3) Phrase A is started with the auxiliary word; therefore, it is a question sentence? Or not?

[Mister Micawber]

.
1) Why phrase A is correct, even though it does not have the “If” word?-- It is a valid alternative way of phrasing the statement; it is one of the instances of Subject-Verb inversion, another type of hypothetical conditional clause. Only 3 operators (I have done my research now) occur in this construction-- had, were and should:

Were I rich, I would buy you a diamond ring.
Should I see him, I'll give him your message.

2) Phrase A is equivalent to phrase B?-- Yes, but A is more formal and less used.

3) Phrase A is started with the auxiliary word; therefore, it is a question sentence? Or not?-- No, it is not a question; questions are just one instance of S-V inversion, too.

Other uses for inversion:

Negative words: Hardly had I stopped the car when she leapt out.
Fronted adverbs: In the drawer was a bloody knife.
With so: I liked the movie. -- So did I.
.
_________________
Canadian-American native speaker
who teaches English for a living at Mister Micawber's
ESL cafe: Interview with Mr. Micawber

[Frank Stern]

Mister Micawber:
Thanks a lot for your explanation, it was really very clear.
Regards