a good ear for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a good ear for" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone who has a natural ability to understand or appreciate music, language, or sounds. Example: "She has a good ear for music, allowing her to pick up new melodies quickly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

They also gave him a good ear for tone.

The Guardian

Mr. Reeves has a good ear for pungent harmonic writing.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Harris writes well and has a good ear for stories.

The New York Times - Books

Well-trained seals understand the language & have a good ear for music.

The New Yorker

Healey has a good ear for dialogue, both in the modern and 1940s sections.

The Guardian - Books

Elder has a good ear for young musicians - he never lets the orchestra feel stale.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

As a writer he combines a reasonably good ear for Southern idioms with a weakness for prosy exposition.

The New York Times

He had a good ear and eye for a script, wearing his knowledge lightly, spicing his talks with gentle humour.

The Guardian

"He's got a very good ear for the opposing argument," Bono said in a telephone interview on Wednesday.

The New York Times

Remembering 'Peep SHew'swith Its Stars and Creators.

Vice

Instinct, it has to be said, plays a big part – Russell has an uncannily good ear for spotting original sounds that also have a chance of shifting units.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's ability to understand subtle nuances, especially in language or music, use "a good ear for" to emphasize their perceptive skill.

Common error

Avoid overusing "a good ear for" in contexts where general knowledge or experience is more relevant than specific auditory perception. For instance, describing someone as having "a good ear for business" might be better phrased as "a good business sense."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a good ear for" functions as an idiomatic expression describing someone's innate ability to perceive, understand, and appreciate subtle aspects within a particular domain, often related to sound or language. As Ludwig AI's analysis shows, it highlights a perceptive skill.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a good ear for" is a common and correct idiomatic phrase used to describe someone's perceptive ability in a particular domain, particularly in music, language, or sound. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and prevalence across various sources. The phrase is versatile, functioning to attribute a refined skill to an individual. While alternatives like ""a talent for"" or ""a knack for"" exist, "a good ear for" specifically highlights auditory or linguistic perception. Its neutral register and frequent usage in news and media make it a valuable addition to one's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a talent for

Replaces "ear" with a more general term for natural ability.

a knack for

Substitutes "ear" with "knack", implying a specific, often intuitive skill.

an aptitude for

Replaces "ear" with "aptitude", suggesting a natural inclination or suitability.

a sensitivity to

Focuses on the ability to perceive and respond to nuances in a particular domain.

a keen sense of

Emphasizes a sharp and perceptive awareness.

an appreciation for

Highlights a deep understanding and enjoyment of something.

a facility with

Suggests ease and competence in handling something.

a gift for

Implies a natural, inherent talent.

an instinct for

Highlights an intuitive understanding and response.

a natural ability for

More explicitly states the inherent skill involved.

FAQs

How can I use "a good ear for" in a sentence?

You can use "a good ear for" to describe someone's ability to perceive and understand subtle differences in sound, language, or music. For example, "She has "a good ear for music", allowing her to identify different instruments easily."

What can I say instead of "a good ear for"?

Alternatives include "a talent for", "a knack for", or "an aptitude for", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "a good ear for music" or "a good eye for music"?

"A good ear for music" is correct because it refers to the auditory perception needed to understand music. "A good eye for" is used for visual skills, like design or art.

What's the difference between "a good ear for dialogue" and "a talent for dialogue"?

"A good ear for dialogue" suggests an ability to accurately capture and reproduce natural speech patterns, while "a talent for dialogue" implies a creative skill in writing compelling and effective conversations. Use "a good ear for dialogue" when you want to highlight accurate capturing of real language patterns, instead of creative writing abilities.