Learn to / Learn how to

Question

Hello everyone!

The other day I saw an advertisement which said "Learn to speak French". I have always thought that "Learn to X" was wrong and the correct one was "Learn how to X".

Is there any difference between "Learn to" and "Learn how to"? Is "how" useless there?

Thanks in advance!:)

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

The other day I saw an advertisement which said "Learn to speak French". I have always thought that "Learn to X" was wrong and the correct one was "Learn how to X".

Is there any difference between "Learn to" and "Learn how to"? Is "how" useless there?

Interesting question. There''s often no real difference. However, here are a couple of comments.

Learn how to focuses on learning the method. eg If I read instruction manuals, I might learn how to fly a plane. But I may never actually fly one.

Learn to focuses on 'doing it'. If I learn to fly a plane, that means I can actually sit down in a plane and do it.

Best wishes, Clive

Yankee · Answer

Hi Pucca

I'd say it's usually pretty safe to say "learn to do" to mean the basically same thing as "learn how to do".

Pucca · Answer

Thank you for your replies, Clive and Amy!

That means that "Learn how to" is the theory part while "Learn to" is the practical one, doesn't it?

I have one more question about this for now, from what you have said, would it be possible to say "I am learning to speak English"?

Thank you again!

Anonymous · Answer

Your sentence is fine.

Yoong Liat · Answer

The sentence is correct.

Pucca · Answer

Thank you Anon and Yoong Liat! <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' alt='Emotion: smile'/>

Learn to / Learn how to

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