What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
unteach
Example
The teacher had to unteach the students the wrong formula they had learned. [unteach: verb]
Example
It's difficult to unteach bad habits that have been ingrained for years. [unteaching: gerund or present participle]
unlearn
Example
I had to unlearn everything I knew about driving when I moved to a new country. [unlearn: verb]
Example
It's important to unlearn stereotypes and biases in order to be more open-minded. [unlearning: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Unlearn is more commonly used than unteach in everyday language. Unlearn is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while unteach is less common and is typically used in educational or instructional settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between unteach and unlearn?
Unlearn is more formal than unteach and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while unteach is typically used in informal or educational settings.
