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I'm writing a director's guide for one of our simulations (http://www.SimulationTrainingSystems.com). My copy editor tells me that "learnings" is not a word. Is she correct? She wants me to use "lessons". I don't like the word lessons. It sounds like an old fashion sit at your desk and do your lesson kind of word. I think "learnings" is more accurate and appropriate for what happens in our simulations.
Irwin Kula was on Oprah a while ago talking about her book "Yearnings". If she can have her yearnings, why can't I have my learnings.
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Below is my original answer, but I have discovered that many dictionaries do list learning as a noun in its own right. Still, I think that the listed noun learning is not what is in view in your question but, rather, the gerund (cf. serve / serving / servings; write / writing / writings) Correct me if I am wrong.
I think the quick answer to your question on the difference between Yearning and Learning is that Yearning can be a full-fledged noun with its own noun entry in the dictionary, whereas both may be gerunds.
Gerunds have no plural, since they serve as abstract noun forms of the verb, and never take an indefinite article A or An.
Walking is good exercise.
Driving without a seatbelt is dangerous.
Learning new languages broadens your horizons.
In most cases, the true noun counterpart is not the same as the gerund: a walk, a drive, etc. . For Yearning they look the same. Others may not mean the same thing: Serving others; a serving of pie.But I can see your point that Lesson is an imperfect counterpart to the gerund Learning. I would probably need more context to offer a better alternative. Still, you either need to pick another noun, or convince others that your nonstandard use is the best alternative.
Business has pressed Competency / competencies into service in the context of something learned. It's not my favorite. Education tends to use Skill and Mastery. Clearly there is a semantic gap here.
Or maybe you cqn use a noun phrase: a learning activity; a learning experience.
Any others have suggestions?
Wow! Glenn thank you so much for your informative reply.
Since writing my question I've checked with some other people and sources. My son, who is the editor of National Geographic Brasil, said, "it feels too California touchy feely for me." Bob Woodward in the Washington Post uses "Take Aways"as in, "10 Take Aways From the Bush Years"
I think I will continue to use learnings and use it as a noun. I think I can justify it if it is, as you point out, in at least one dictionary. On second thought, "Take Aways" is closer to what I want to say and apparently more acceptable than "learnings". So maybe I'll go with "take aways"
Thanks so much for taking the time to respond.
Garry
P.S. I know Irwin Kula is a man, Freud will have to explain why I put "her" instead of "him."
Martha Barnette
Grant Barrett
Grant Barrett
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