Correct spelling for the English word "were learned" is [wɜː lˈɜːnd], [wɜː lˈɜːnd], [w_ɜː l_ˈɜː_n_d] (IPA phonetic alphabet).
"Was learned" is a verb phrase in the past tense form, composed of the auxiliary verb "was" (for singular) or "were" (for plural) and the verb "learned." It refers to the action or process of acquiring knowledge, skills, or information in the past.
"Learned" is the past tense and past participle form of the verb "learn" which means to gain knowledge, understanding, or expertise through study, experience, or teaching. It implies the acquisition of new information or the development of skills or abilities.
The phrase "were learned" suggests that the knowledge or information in question was acquired by someone or something plural in the past. It can indicate a passive voice construct, describing that the subject of the sentence received the knowledge rather than actively seeking it out.
For example, one might say "The principles of mathematics were learned by the students in school." In this case, the phrase signifies that the students acquired the understanding of mathematical principles through their education.
Overall, "were learned" denotes the past tense state of someone or something having gained knowledge or skills, emphasizing passive acquisition rather than active learning.
The phrase "were learned" is not a single word; it is a combination of the past tense of the verb "to be" (were) and the adjective "learned". The etymology of the word "learned" comes from the Middle English word "lerened" or "lernde", which originated from the Old English word "gelǣred". This Old English term was composed of the prefix "ge-" (indicating completeness) and "lǣred" (meaning "taught" or "educated"). The root of "lǣred" is connected to the verb "lǣran", meaning "to teach". Over time, "lǣred" evolved into "learned" in modern English, specifically used to describe someone who is knowledgeable or highly educated.