actively listening

USAGE SUMMARY

"actively listening" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when someone is specifically paying attention to a conversation or lecture. For example, "She was actively listening when her professor began talking about algebra."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He then began actively listening to the consultants across the aisle conduct a mobile business meeting.

The New York Times

That's great for background party music — not so great for actively listening.

The New York Times - Tech

First, by participating actively, listening carefully and speaking clearly about our values and priorities, we make a difference.

The New York Times

"We want to assure this individual that we are actively listening to what he has to say," Mr. Bogner said.

The New York Times

Sony says the Smartwatch 2 is a work in progress, and it is actively listening to customer feedback and updating the watch with new software and features.

The Guardian - Tech

"It is encouraging and reassuring to see such big retailers like The Co-operative actively listening to their customers and acting on the public desire for improvement in animal welfare.

Independent

Samsung said the ability to control the TV using voice commands can be activated or deactivated by the user and that the Smart TV displayed when it is actively listening.

The Guardian - Tech

"A lot of staff assume conflict is just part of the culture," says Sayer. "In medical training we are taught about communication, but not about actively listening to what parents say".

The Guardian

She supports her team in many ways from actively listening to them and celebrating successes together, to recognising the importance of a work-life balance by offering flexible working arrangements.

The Guardian

"Without consent, Google's code had downloaded a black box of code that – according to itself – had turned on the microphone and was actively listening to your room," said Rick Falkvinge, the Pirate party founder, in a blog post.

The Guardian - Tech

There's a rotating light ring around the top that indicates when it's actively listening to you and turns red when you hit the mute button, electrically disconnecting the mics, so you know when it is and isn't listening in.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When engaging in conversations, practice "actively listening" by summarizing the speaker's points to ensure you've understood correctly. This reinforces understanding and demonstrates your engagement.

Common error

Avoid the trap of assuming you understand before the speaker has finished. Interrupting or formulating your response prematurely prevents true "actively listening" and may lead to misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "actively listening" functions as a gerund phrase, often used as a noun or part of a verb phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts, reflecting its role in describing a specific form of attentiveness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

23%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "actively listening" is a correct and commonly used gerund phrase that emphasizes focused attention and engagement during communication. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It appears frequently in contexts like news, science, and wiki articles, demonstrating its broad applicability. To enhance communication skills, remember to summarize and ask clarifying questions, while avoiding premature assumptions. Consider using alternatives such as "attentively hearing" or "carefully attending" for variety. The phrase plays a key role in building understanding and strong relationships.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attentively hearing

Emphasizes the auditory aspect of paying attention, like "actively listening".

carefully attending

Focuses on the level of care and focus given to the speaker or message.

engaging attentively

Highlights the reciprocal nature of communication and engagement while listening.

mindfully hearing

Stresses the importance of being present and aware during the act of listening.

showing understanding

Focuses on demonstrating comprehension through active participation in the conversation.

careful hearing

Highlights the act of hearing is made with care and consideration.

alertly perceiving

Emphasizes alertness and responsiveness to verbal cues when someone is listening.

showing consideration

Highlights the action of demonstrating respect through paying attention.

receptively hearing

Highlights the action of getting the message as it is, with no bias.

thoughtfully receiving

Emphasizes the importance of reflecting on the information being communicated.

FAQs

How can I demonstrate that I am "actively listening"?

You can show you're "actively listening" by maintaining eye contact, nodding, summarizing the speaker's points, and asking clarifying questions.

What are the benefits of "actively listening"?

"Actively listening" fosters better communication, builds trust, improves understanding, and prevents misunderstandings.

What is the difference between hearing and "actively listening"?

Hearing is simply perceiving sound, while "actively listening" involves paying attention, understanding, and responding to what is being said.

What are some alternatives to "actively listening"?

You can use alternatives like "attentively hearing", "carefully attending", or "engaging attentively" depending on the context.