Hello,

What should I say?

She learnt how to drive or...
She learnt to drive

My brother taught her how to use the computer or...
My brother taught her to use the computer...

both are possible?

Thanks!!!

Question

Hello,

What should I say?

She learnt how to drive or...
She learnt to drive

My brother taught her how to use the computer or...
My brother taught her to use the computer...

both are possible?

Thanks!!!

Answer

Both are correct. "learned how" has more of a feeling of learning the most basic fundamentals in these two cases, but they're pretty much interchangeable. Teaching her 'how to use the computer' could sound a little more like how to turn it on, how to type, how to use the mouse. Taught her to use the computer sounds a bit more like a thorough teaching. But I wouldn't worry much about this, as it's a very subtle sense.

But I would encourage you to spell 'learnt' as 'learned'. I guess it's acceptable in England? :)

Answer

They'll are correct and quite natural. I would add that "learnt" is the British form for the past of "learn." The the US, we say "learned."

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