5 minutes to distinguish the usage of Learn and Study

Content publishing rules

Learn and Study are two very common verbs in English. Although the meanings of these two words are quite similar, when we delve into their usage, we will find many differences. In today's article, PREP will help you understand the usage and compare Learn and Study!

I. What is Learn?

What is Learn? According to the Cambridge and Oxford Learner's Dictionaries, Learn is pronounced as/lɝːn/. Learn functions as a verb, it means: to gain knowledge or skill by studying, from experience, from being taught, etc. Below are examples of other meanings:

To study and repeat something in order to be able to remember it. For example: I don't know how actresses manage to learn all those lines.
To gradually change your attitudes about something so that you behave in a different way. For example: She'll have to learn that she can't have everything she wants.
To become aware of something by hearing about it from somebody else. For example: I later learned (that) the message had never arrived.

1. The structure of Learn

Let's explore common structures with Learn together with PREP!

Structure	Example
Learn something	Smith had the opportunity to learn English in Russia.
Learn (something) from somebody/ something	I learned a lot from my mother.
Learn (something) from doing something	You can learn a great deal just from watching other players.
Learn about something	Anna is very keen to learn about Korean culture.
Learn of something	I first learned of his death many years later.
Learn to do something	Alex is learning to play the trumpet.
Learn how to do something	Today we learned how to use the new software.
Learn who, what, where, etc…	Students need to learn what to do in an emergency.
Learn (that)…	Robert will just have to learn (that) he can't always have his own way.
It is learned that…	It has been learned that 500 jobs are to be lost at the factory.

2. Common idioms associated with Learn

Quickly pocket the common idioms associated with Learn below!

Idioms associated with Learn	Meaning	Example
Learn a lesson.	to learn what to do or not to do in the future because you have had a bad experience in the past	After failing the exam, he learned a lesson.
Learn something by heart.	learned in such a way that you can repeat it from memory	Lisa spent hours learning the poem by heart.
Learn something the hard way.	to find out how to behave by learning from your mistakes or from unpleasant experiences, rather than from being told	I learned the hard way when I discovered several mistakes later.
Know/ learn/ find something to your cost.	to know something because of something unpleasant that has happened to you	Anna is a tough competitor, as I know to my cost.
Show somebody/ know/ learn the ropes.	to show somebody/know/learn how a particular job should be done	This job is easy once you have known the ropes.
You live and learn.	used to express surprise at something new or unexpected you have been told	After the failed attempt, he shrugged it off and said, "Well, you live and learn".

II. What is Study?

What is Study? According to the Cambridge and Oxford Learner's Dictionaries, Study is pronounced as /ˈstʌd.i/. Study acts as a verb and a noun.

Study acts as a verb, meaning: to learn about a subject, especially in an educational course or by reading books; to examine something very carefully. For example:
I want time to study this contract thoroughly before signing it.
Next semester we’ll be studying biology.
Study acts as a noun, meaning: the activity of examining a subject in detail in order to discover new information; the act of learning about a subject, usually at school or university; a room, especially in a house, used for quiet work such as reading or writing. For example:
Andrew published a study on strategic financial management.
She crossed the hallway and opened the door to her private study.
Many undertake further studies after college.

Words/phrases/Idioms accompanying the Study:

Words and phrases that accompany Study	Example
Study for/ on/ of something	Robert has recently done a study on the effects of traffic.
In a study	There are many methods used in the present study.
Under study	The biochemical process under study.
Carry out/ conduct/ undertake a study	WHO conducted a study to identify the causes of measles.
According to a study	According to a recent study, there are about $86.7 million in emergency fire.
Academic study	Mr.Jack is doing an academic study.
Additional study	Ms.Jisso is carrying out an additional study for scientific research work.
Advanced study	I expect that this book will prove to be more useful for advanced study.
An independent/ in-depth study	Anna decided to take an independent study.
Major/ large/ national study	This is one of the largest national study in my school.
In a brown study (Idiom) (thinking deeply so that you do not notice what is happening around you)	Jennis is in a brown study she doesn't know Smith coming.

III. Synonyms for Learn and Study

Let's discover a list of synonyms for Learn and Study with PREP below!

Synonyms for Learn and Study	Meaning	Example
Major (in)	to study something as your main subject at college or university	Shari majored in philosophy at Harvard.
Cram (in)	to try to learn a lot very quickly before an exam	Marry is cramming for her history exam.
Revise (in)	to study again something you have already learned, in preparation for an exam	I'm revising for tomorrow's test.
Review (in)		We're going to review for the test tomorrow night.
Research (in)	to study a subject in detail, especially in order to discover new information or reach a new understanding	Scientists are researching possible new treatments for cancer.
Master (in)	to learn how to do something well	Annie lived in Italy for several years but never quite mastered the language.
Pick up	to learn a new skill or language by practising it rather than being taught it	When you live in a new country, you soon pick up the language.
Familiarize yourself with	to learn about something	Robert prepared for the interview by familiarizing himself with the company's work.
Get the hang of something	to learn how to do something, especially if it is not obvious or simple	You will soon get the hang of using the computer.

IV. Differences between Learn and Study

How are Learn and Study different? Let's find out the differences between Study and Learn with PREP below!

Differences between Learn and Study	Learn	Study
Part of speech	Verb	Verb Noun
Meaning	To gain knowledge or skill by studying, from experience, from being taught, etc To study and repeat something in order to be able to remember it To gradually change your attitudes about something so that you behave in a different way To become aware of something by hearing about it from somebody else	To learn about a subject, especially in an educational course or by reading books; to examine something very carefully The activity of examining a subject in detail in order to discover new information; the act of learning about a subject, usually at school or university; a room, especially in a house, used for quiet work such as reading or writing
Example	I am learning two languages.	I am taking a study about how often do people use smartphones.

V. Exercise to differentiate Learn and Study

To distinguish Learn and Study, complete the exercise provided by PREP below!

1. Exercises

Exercise 1: Choose the appropriate word: Learn or Study

I have to stay home to (study/learn) _______ for the final exam this Friday.
That boy soon (studied/learned) _______ that the best way is to make friends by smiling.
Has Maria ever thought of (studying/learning) _______ to become a doctor?
When you (study/learn) _______ for an exam, don’t be overwhelmed.
So, what was (studied learned) _______ from this problem?

Exercise 2: Complete the sentences using verbs: Learn or Study

My brother is ______ to drive.
Anna ______ biology.
Jackson is a very diligent student. He ______ for hours every evening.
They are ______ to play the piano.
Children ______ to read and write in primary school.

2. Answer

Exercise 1:

study
learned
studying
study
learned

Exercise 2:

learning
studies
studies
learning
learn

PREP hopes that through this article, you have grasped the definition, usage, and differences between Learn and Study. Keep following PREP to stay updated with useful English grammar knowledge! Good luck!

Chloe

Product Content Admin

Hi I'm Chloe, and I am currently serving as an Product Content Administrator at Prep Education. With over five years of experience in independent online IELTS study and exam preparation, I am confident in my ability to support learners in achieving their highest possible scores.