"learn smth" and "learn of smth"

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Pierce111

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Joined
Nov 27, 2012
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Other
Native Language
Polish
Home Country
Poland
Current Location
Poland
It seems to me (from what I encountered) that the phrases given below have different meaning:
a) "learn smth" - get new knowledge
and
b) "learn of smth" - receive new information

Am I right?
 

Route21

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 27, 2010
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Interested in Language
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British English
Home Country
England
Current Location
Thailand
As an NES but not an English specialist:

Yes, but we don't handle "text messages".
Please, in future, use the full English word rather than abbreviations, which may mean different things to different people - e.g. "lol".
Regards
R21
 

emsr2d2

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Staff member
Joined
Jul 28, 2009
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
UK
Current Location
UK
It seems to me (from what I encountered) that the phrases given below have different meaning:

a) "learn something" - get new knowledge
and
b) "learn of something" - receive new information

Am I right?

As always, context helps but at its most basic level, you are right.

At school, I learnt French.
Yesterday, chatting to my friend, I learnt of a new computer that has just been brought out.
 
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