Used and loved by millions
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
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
didn't hear back
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesTable of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
54 human-written examples
She didn't hear back.
News & Media
I didn't hear back from Joint Stock.
News & Media
I didn't hear back but do not hold a grudge.
News & Media
I sent a letter, but didn't hear back.
News & Media
He didn't hear back for a couple of weeks.
News & Media
After I submitted my application, I didn't hear back from the company for several weeks.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
6 human-written examples
He did not hear back.
News & Media
Um, I did not hear back".
News & Media
He did not hear back from Zeiba.
News & Media
Mr. Fecu did not hear back for five days.
News & Media
He emailed Admiral, expressing interest, but did not hear back.
News & Media
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.
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.
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.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
received no response
Replaces the contraction and simplifies the verb phrase.
got no reply
More concise and informal alternative.
did not receive a response
Formal and explicit version.
never got back to me
More personal and conversational.
was not contacted
Passive voice, emphasizing the lack of contact.
remained unanswered
Focuses on the state of the inquiry.
was left unanswered
Similar to 'remained unanswered' but with a slightly different emphasis.
no one responded
Highlights the lack of response from anyone.
the message went unacknowledged
Formal and emphasizes the lack of acknowledgement.
no feedback was provided
Focuses on the absence of feedback specifically.
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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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
88%
Authority and reliability
4.6/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested