first heard about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "first heard about" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
For example, you might use it in a sentence such as: "I first heard about the new restaurant in town from a friend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'd first heard about SurveyMonkey in 2008.

Harvard Business Review

That's how we first heard about it".

The New York Times - Sports

I first heard about him when I was nineteen.

The New Yorker

When I first heard about this, I was angry.

The New York Times - Sports

"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 he first heard about the initiative, he encouraged it.

Harvard Business Review

Dante Castiglione first heard about Bitcoin that same March.

The New York Times - Magazine

When I first heard about it I was gobsmacked.

The Guardian

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

The Guardian

I first heard about it from my dad.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "first heard about" with details about the source of your information to add credibility to your statement. For example, "I first heard about the study from a peer-reviewed journal".

Common error

Avoid using "first heard about" in highly formal or academic writing where more precise language might be required. Consider alternatives like "became aware of" or "was initially informed of" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first heard about" functions as an introductory element in a sentence or clause. It typically introduces the context of how someone initially gained knowledge or awareness of a particular topic, event, or person. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "first heard about" serves as a pivotal introductory marker, signaling the beginning of one's knowledge or awareness. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically sound. It is incredibly versatile, found in various contexts, but especially prevalent in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business domains. To ensure impactful writing, use this phrase to add credibility and clarity, especially when sharing personal anecdotes. While broadly applicable, it is advisable to consider alternatives like "initially learned of" for elevated formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was first informed about

Implies someone provided the information.

was first told about

Highlights that the knowledge was received through someone else's narration.

initially learned of

Focuses on the beginning of a learning process, implying a more formal acquisition of knowledge.

became aware of first

Emphasizes the moment consciousness of something began.

discovered for the first time

Highlights the act of finding something previously unknown.

first came to know

Indicates an initial acquaintance or familiarity.

was introduced to

Suggests a formal or structured introduction to a topic or person.

first encountered

Focuses on the initial meeting or experience with something.

became acquainted with initially

Similar to 'came to know', but suggests a gradual process of getting familiar.

had my first exposure to

Highlights the experience of being initially exposed to something.

FAQs

How can I use "first heard about" in a sentence?

You can use "first heard about" to describe the moment you initially learned of something. For example, "I first heard about the conference from a colleague."

What can I say instead of "first heard about"?

You can use alternatives like "initially learned of", "became aware of first", or "discovered for the first time" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "first hear of" instead of "first heard about"?

"First hear of" is grammatically correct but usually refers to a general awareness, while "first heard about" implies receiving specific information. For instance, "I'd never first hear of that author" versus "I first heard about the author's new book on the radio".

What's the difference between "first learned about" and "first heard about"?

"First learned about" often suggests a more formal or intentional process of gaining knowledge, whereas "first heard about" simply indicates an initial exposure to the information, often through casual means.