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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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didn't hear back

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

She didn't hear back.

News & Media

The New York Times

I didn't hear back from Joint Stock.

News & Media

The Guardian

I didn't hear back but do not hold a grudge.

I sent a letter, but didn't hear back.

News & Media

The New Yorker

He didn't hear back for a couple of weeks.

News & Media

The New York Times

After I submitted my application, I didn't hear back from the company for several weeks.

News & Media

The New York Times
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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

He did not hear back.

Um, I did not hear back".

News & Media

The New York Times

He did not hear back from Zeiba.

News & Media

The Guardian

Mr. Fecu did not hear back for five days.

News & Media

The New York Times

He emailed Admiral, expressing interest, but did not hear back.

Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "didn't hear back" to indicate a lack of response after an attempt to communicate. Ensure the context clearly establishes the prior communication attempt.

Common error

Avoid using "didn't hear back" when there was no initial expectation of a response or when no communication was initiated. Use it only when a response was anticipated but not received.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

88%

Authority and reliability

4.6/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "didn't hear back" functions as a declarative statement indicating a lack of communication in response to an earlier attempt. It's commonly used to express disappointment or a state of uncertainty, as demonstrated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "didn't hear back" is a common and generally accepted way to indicate that a response was expected but not received. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions primarily to convey a lack of communication. Predominantly found in news and media, it maintains a neutral to slightly informal tone, making it suitable for various contexts from casual conversations to professional correspondence. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly establishes a prior communication attempt and the reasonable expectation of a reply. Alternatives such as "received no response" or "got no reply" may be more appropriate depending on the desired level of formality.

FAQs

What does "didn't hear back" mean?

The phrase "didn't hear back" means that someone expected a response after reaching out to someone but did not receive it.

How can I use "didn't hear back" in a sentence?

You can say, "I sent an email last week, but I "didn't hear back" from them yet", indicating you are still waiting for a response.

What's the difference between "didn't hear back" and "received no response"?

While both phrases indicate a lack of response, "didn't hear back" is more conversational. "Received no response" is a more formal way to say the same thing; alternatives includes "got no reply".

What can I say instead of "didn't hear back"?

Alternatives include "received no response", "got no reply", or "was not contacted" depending on the formality required.

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Source & Trust

88%

Authority and reliability

4.6/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: