adjectives - What's the difference between "well-lighted" and "well-lit"?


This question has been on my mind since I first read Hemingway's story, "A clean well-lighted place". I have never heard "well-lighted" in my life other than in this story. I have heard that a room can be "well-lit" however.


Does anyone know why Hemingway chose to put it this way?



Answer



In most dictionaries, both "lighted" and "lit" are generally listed as acceptable past tense of the verb "light," so there is no difference between them.


"Lit" appears to be more common in contemporary American English usage, though.


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