"Lit"
* More informal: "Lit" is generally considered more informal and casual.
* Present tense: It's usually used in the present tense to describe something that is currently illuminated.
* Used with "up": You can use "lit up" to describe something that suddenly becomes bright.
* Example: "The room was lit with candles." "His face lit up when he saw her."
"Lighted"
* More formal: "Lighted" is a more formal and literary term.
* Past tense: It's often used in the past tense to describe something that was illuminated in the past.
* Used in specific contexts: It's commonly found in descriptions of historical events or formal settings.
* Example: "The old house was dimly lighted by a single oil lamp." "The ballroom was beautifully lighted for the grand ball."
In summary:
* If you want to be casual, use "lit."
* If you want to be formal, use "lighted."
* If you're unsure, "lit" is generally a safe bet in most situations.
Here's a simple rule of thumb: if you're describing something that is currently illuminated, use "lit". If you're describing something that was illuminated in the past, use "lighted".