first hear about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "first hear about" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the initial moment or instance of learning about a particular topic or event. Example: "I first hear about the new policy during the staff meeting last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

How'd you first hear about them?

The New York Times - Arts

How did you first hear about the girls in Le Roy?

The New York Times

How did you first hear about the hospital run by Emergency?

The New York Times

It is a little startling when you first hear about the prefunding requirement.

The New York Times

"But where did I first hear about abuses of the bankruptcy laws?

The New York Times

Nowadays two-thirds of young people first hear about major news on social media, says Vromen.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

I first heard about him when I was nineteen.

The New Yorker

"I first heard about it when I was at Rada".

The Guardian - Film

Levandowski first heard about it from his mother.

The New Yorker

When I first heard about this, I was angry.

The New York Times - Sports

"When I first heard about these plans, my heart sank.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "first hear about", ensure the context clearly indicates the subject or topic being introduced. This clarifies the specific piece of information or event the person is initially learning about.

Common error

Avoid using the present tense when referring to a past event. For example, instead of "I first hear about it yesterday", use "I "first heard about" it yesterday".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first hear about" functions as a verb phrase indicating the initial acquisition of information. As Ludwig AI shows, this phrase is commonly used to introduce the moment someone learns about a topic, event, or person for the first time.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "first hear about" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that signifies the initial moment of gaining knowledge on a specific topic. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is versatile and appears frequently in news, scientific, and business contexts. While maintaining a neutral register, it effectively communicates the origin of information, making it a valuable tool for storytelling and inquiry. When using this phrase, be mindful of tense consistency and consider more formal alternatives like "initially learn about" for professional or academic settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initially learn about

Replaces "first hear" with "initially learn", emphasizing the start of the learning process.

first become aware of

Focuses on becoming conscious or cognizant of something for the first time.

discover for the first time

Highlights the act of finding out or uncovering something new.

encounter for the first time

Emphasizes the initial experience of coming across something.

originally find out about

Replaces "hear" with "find out", indicating how information was obtained.

get wind of something initially

Suggests that information has been passed on informally to someone, which implies the news were eventually known.

learn of initially

Similar to "first learn about" but slightly more formal.

be introduced to initially

Highlights that someone has given you news about a topic.

have my first acquaintance with

The alternative highlights that is the first time you have an acquaintance of a news topic.

be informed about initially

Focuses on the act of being told or notified about something for the first time.

FAQs

What's a more formal way to say "first hear about"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "initially learn about" or "first become aware of". These options convey a similar meaning with increased sophistication.

Can "first hear about" be used in the present tense?

Yes, but carefully consider the context. "I "first hear about" new policies during staff meetings" implies a recurring event. Avoid using it for singular past occurrences; instead, use ""first heard about"".

What prepositions can follow "first hear" besides "about"?

While "about" is the most common preposition, alternatives are less frequent. You might "first hear of" a concept, though ""first hear about"" remains the standard choice.

Is there a difference between "first hear of" and "first hear about"?

While similar, "first hear of" often implies a general awareness or mention, whereas ""first hear about"" suggests receiving more detailed information. The choice depends on the level of detail being conveyed.