active listening

USAGE SUMMARY

"active listening" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used any time you want to indicate that someone is actively paying attention to what someone else is saying. For example, "The student demonstrated active listening by taking notes as his professor discussed the theory."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is active listening.

The Guardian - Music

There is something lovely in active listening with strangers.

The Guardian

Active Listening features don't work outside too well.

TechCrunch

Reviewing Benefits of Active Listening.

Huffington Post

We should engage in active listening.

Huffington Post

Often active listening can be enough to resolve an issue.

Huffington Post

Active listening can feel robotic and repetitive to some people practicing active listening, however it is the channel for connection with the person speaking.

Huffington Post

Active listening.

BMC Health Services Research

This encouraged active listening.

BMJ Open

Excellent active listening.

BMC Medical Education

The GPs maintained an attitude of active listening.

British Journal of General Practice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "active listening", be specific about the techniques involved, such as paraphrasing or summarizing, to demonstrate a clear understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "active listening" when you only mean that someone is hearing the words being spoken. "Active listening" involves engagement and understanding, not just the physical act of hearing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "active listening" functions primarily as a noun phrase that describes a specific communication technique. It refers to the process of attentively and empathetically understanding a speaker's message. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts, reinforcing its grammatical role.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

31%

News & Media

28%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "active listening" is a commonly used phrase that refers to the communication technique of attentively and empathetically understanding a speaker's message. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely applicable. It's important to distinguish between "active listening" and simply hearing; the former involves active engagement, while the latter is merely the physical act of perceiving sound. Key techniques involve paraphrasing, asking questions, and providing feedback. This phrase is used across various contexts, including science, news, and general education. Though sometimes perceived negatively, as studies reveal, it is mostly beneficial as therapeutic skill.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attentive listening

Emphasizes the focus and care given while listening.

engaged listening

Highlights the active involvement and participation in the listening process.

empathetic listening

Focuses on understanding and sharing the feelings of the speaker.

mindful listening

Stresses the importance of being present and aware while listening.

reflective listening

Highlights the process of reflecting back what is heard to ensure understanding.

responsive listening

Emphasizes giving feedback and showing engagement while listening.

focused listening

Highlights the concentration and attention directed towards the speaker.

careful listening

Underscores the precision and thoroughness in hearing what's being said.

conscious listening

Suggests an awareness and deliberate effort in the act of listening.

intentional listening

Implies a purposeful and goal-oriented approach to listening.

FAQs

How is "active listening" different from simply hearing?

"Active listening" involves not just hearing the words, but also understanding, interpreting, and responding to the speaker's message. It includes techniques like paraphrasing and asking clarifying questions, unlike passive hearing.

What are some key techniques for practicing "active listening"?

Key techniques include maintaining eye contact, nodding to show understanding, asking clarifying questions, paraphrasing the speaker's points, and providing verbal and nonverbal feedback.

In what situations is "active listening" particularly important?

"Active listening" is crucial in situations that require clear communication and understanding, such as in therapy, counseling, conflict resolution, customer service, and team collaboration.

What can I say instead of "active listening"?

You can use alternatives like "attentive listening", "engaged listening", or "empathetic listening" depending on the context.