Lit and Lighted

[B]

all i know is that both are past of "to light".

but when do you use "lit" and "lighted"?

they both sound correct in:
the street lamps were "lit".
the street lamps were "lighted".
he "lit" a cigarette.
he "lighted" a cigarette.

what is true? i'd appreciate any explanation.

thank you very much.

[Alan]

Hi,

Both are acceptable. There is a general preference for 'lit', particularly with expression like: well lit/badly lit'.

Alan
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[Jamie (K)]

As Alan says, both are acceptable.

In terms of usage, when "lighted" is used, it most often means "illuminated". (I would never say someone "lighted a cigarette", because it sounds slightly to me as if the person were shining a light on it. It also sounds to my ears like a small child's usage.)

"Lit" is the more common of the two in situations where something is ignited: "He lit the bonfire." "Everyone lit a candle." "He lit his cigarette off someone else's."

However, "lit" is also very frequent in the sense of "illuminated": "Her smile lit up the room." "The storefront was lit with neon."