an ear to lean

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an ear to lean" is not correct in standard English.
The correct expression is "an ear to lend," which means to offer someone a listening ear or support. Example: "Whenever you need someone to talk to, I'm here with an ear to lend."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"He knows I'm here as an ear to lean on whenever he wants.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

At the piano, he turns his head from side to side, he bends an ear to the keyboard, he leans forward and back, he speaks to himself, his chin traces curves, and his eyelids flutter.

The New Yorker

Herb supported Gigi and Peter, always offering an ear to listen and a shoulder to lean on.

The New York Times

You can lend an ear to your parent, but you should not be their primary shoulder to lean on.

WikiHow

I just have an ear to hear.

Independent

Sometimes, your spouse just wants to get something off their chest: they don't want an analysis, they don't want direction, they just want a pair of ears and a shoulder to lean on.

WikiHow

In a city that feels leaderless and adrift, Mr. Tarhouni is often looked to not only as finance minister, but as a shoulder to lean on, a sympathetic ear.

The New York Times

She must have been an enchanting dinner guest: her deafness in one ear forced her to lean into conversations, ensuring maximum attention and intimacy.

The Guardian - Music

Find a shoulder to lean on.

WikiHow

Be a shoulder to lean on.

WikiHow

They won't notice that you aren't contacting them - until they want to lean on you, bend your ear for more of her personal complaints, or ask to borrow money again.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the correct phrase "an ear to lend" to offer your support to someone.

Common error

Avoid using "lean" when you mean to offer someone support by listening. The correct phrase is "an ear to lend", which means offering someone a listening ear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an ear to lean" functions as a prepositional phrase, but it is grammatically incorrect. It attempts to describe the act of seeking support through listening, but incorrectly uses the verb "lean". As Ludwig AI suggests, the correct form is "an ear to lend."

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an ear to lean" is an incorrect expression. As Ludwig AI clarifies, the correct phrase is "an ear to lend". This phrase means to offer someone a listening ear and support. While the intention behind "an ear to lean" is understandable, it's crucial to use the correct grammatical form to avoid confusion. The correct alternative, "an ear to lend", and related phrases like "a listening ear" or "a shoulder to cry on", are more appropriate for conveying empathy and support. Remember to use "lend" instead of "lean" to ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy in your writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an ear to lend

This is the grammatically correct and most direct alternative to the original phrase.

a listening ear

This is a more concise and common way to describe someone who is willing to listen empathetically.

a sympathetic ear

Highlights the empathetic nature of the listener.

a shoulder to cry on

This phrase emphasizes emotional support and comfort during difficult times.

a source of support

Focuses on the overall assistance provided by the person.

someone to talk to

This focuses on the act of conversation and sharing one's thoughts and feelings.

a sounding board

Implies that the listener helps the speaker clarify their own thoughts.

a confidant

Emphasizes the trust and discretion involved in the relationship.

a friend in need

Highlights the helpfulness of the friend.

a trusted advisor

Suggests guidance and counsel in addition to listening.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "an ear to lean"?

The correct phrase is "an ear to lend", which means to offer someone your attention and support by listening to them.

What does it mean to offer "an ear to lend"?

To offer "an ear to lend" means to be willing to listen to someone with empathy and understanding, providing them with a safe space to express their thoughts and feelings.

Are there other ways to say "I'm here to listen"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "a listening ear", "a shoulder to cry on", or simply "I'm here if you need to talk".

What's the difference between "an ear to lend" and "a shoulder to lean on"?

"An ear to lend" implies listening and providing understanding, while "a shoulder to lean on" suggests providing comfort and support during a difficult time. They are related but have slightly different focuses.