first hears about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "first hears about" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the initial moment someone learns of a particular piece of information or news. Example: "She first hears about the promotion during the team meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Which reminds us that when he first hears about David he was a clean kid that faced the giant of the Philistines.

Huffington Post

For example, it may well be the case that when an adolescent first hears about the danger of a novel drug, the impact of the information will be larger when the information is provided by a peer than when it is given by a parent.

Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

When I first heard about this program, my primary reaction was one of relief.

Science Magazine

I first heard about the Royal Society and British Association Millennium Award scheme at the BAAS Annual Festival of Science.

Science Magazine

How'd you first hear about them?

The New York Times - Arts

I first heard about him when I was nineteen.

The New Yorker

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

The New York Times

"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

Consider the audience and choose a synonym if "first hears about" sounds too informal. Alternatives like "initially learns of" may be more suitable for formal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "first hears about" without specifying where the information originated. This omission can make the sentence vague and less informative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first hears about" functions as a verb phrase indicating the initial reception of information through auditory means. Ludwig examples demonstrate its usage in describing how individuals come to learn about events, people, or opportunities.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "first hears about" is a phrase used to describe the initial moment someone receives information, often through auditory means. While grammatically correct and usable, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, its relative informality may warrant the consideration of synonyms such as "initially learns of" in more formal contexts. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media sources. When using "first hears about", it's best practice to specify the source of the information to enhance clarity. Common errors include omitting this source, which can lead to vagueness. Its function is to mark the beginning of awareness, with the examples in Ludwig providing insights into its practical application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initially learns of

Replaces "hears" with "learns", emphasizing the acquisition of knowledge at the beginning.

first becomes aware of

Substitutes "hears" with "becomes aware", highlighting the transition into a state of awareness.

is initially informed about

Uses a passive construction to emphasize the receipt of information.

first discovers

Replaces "hears" with "discovers", suggesting an element of finding something previously unknown.

is introduced to

Focuses on the act of being presented with new information or a concept.

is initially told about

Highlights the act of being verbally informed.

gains first knowledge of

Emphasizes the acquisition of knowledge as the primary outcome.

initially finds out about

Uses the phrasal verb "finds out" to indicate the discovery of information.

is alerted to

Focuses on being warned or made aware of something, often implying a potential issue or opportunity.

receives initial notice of

Implies a formal or official notification.

FAQs

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

You can use "first hears about" to describe the initial moment someone becomes aware of something. For example, "She "first hears about" the job opening from a colleague".

What are some alternatives to "first hears about"?

Alternatives include "initially learns of", "first becomes aware of", or "is initially informed about", depending on the context.

Is "first hears about" formal or informal?

"First hears about" leans towards informal usage. For more formal contexts, consider alternatives like "initially learns of" or "becomes aware of".

What's the difference between "first hears about" and "finds out about"?

"First hears about" implies an auditory reception of information, while "finds out about" is more general and can include learning through any means, not just hearing.