first time hear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "first time hear" is not correct in standard written English.
It should be rephrased to "first time hearing" or "first time I hear" depending on the context. Example: "This is the first time I hear about this topic, and I'm intrigued."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

So, in case you didn't get it the first time, hear this: Suburbia is soulless, vacuous, downright insane!

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

First time hearing about John Williams?

The New York Times

"This is our first time hearing music in the Egg".

The New York Times - Arts

First time hearing about the nonaccelerating inflation rate of unemployment, or Nairu?

The New York Times

"And I remember I said, 'I want to give my speech in French.' I don't know if that's my first time hearing French.

The New York Times

"I think it's my first time hearing government officials saying that," Shen Minggao, the chief China economist for Citibank in Hong Kong, said in a telephone interview.

The New York Times

My first time hearing Dolores O'Riordan's voice was unforgettable.

Huffington Post

"This was their first time hearing a violin".

Vice

But how many times was it my first time hearing it?

Huffington Post

This was my first time hearing Mr. Holober at the piano and he did not disappoint.

Huffington Post

His wife was sitting nearby, smiling and laughing through answers as if it was her first time hearing them.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "first time hearing" or "the first time I heard" for grammatical correctness. Ensure the verb form matches the intended meaning and context.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "first time hear" as it lacks proper grammatical structure. Instead, opt for "first time hearing" or "the first time I heard" to maintain clarity and correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first time hear" functions as an attempt to describe an initial auditory experience. However, it's grammatically incomplete. As Ludwig AI highlights, it requires correction to forms like "first time hearing" or "the first time I heard".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "first time hear" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in formal writing. As Ludwig AI points out, the correct forms are "first time hearing" or "the first time I heard", depending on the intended meaning. While the phrase attempts to convey a sense of novelty and initial experience, using the accurate grammatical structure ensures clarity and credibility. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts, but its corrected forms can be applied across various registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

first time hearing

Uses the gerund form of the verb, making it grammatically correct and suitable for many contexts.

first time i heard

Adds a subject and past tense verb, creating a complete and grammatically sound clause.

when i first heard

Introduces a temporal clause, indicating the specific moment of the initial hearing experience.

the first time i listened

Replaces "hear" with "listen", which can be more appropriate depending on the context and implies intentional listening.

my first experience hearing

Emphasizes the experience aspect, highlighting a personal encounter with a sound or information.

initial time hearing

Uses "initial" as a synonym for "first", maintaining a similar meaning with a slight change in vocabulary.

never heard before

Expresses the novelty of hearing something, focusing on the lack of prior exposure.

new to my ears

A more figurative way of saying something is heard for the first time, emphasizing freshness and unfamiliarity.

debut hearing

Uses a more formal term, "debut", to describe the first instance of hearing something.

first encounter with sound

Focuses on the "encounter" with a sound, suitable when discussing the sensory experience.

FAQs

How can I correctly use the phrase "first time hear" in a sentence?

The phrase "first time hear" is grammatically incorrect. You should use "first time hearing" or "the first time I heard" instead.

What is a grammatically correct alternative to "first time hear"?

A grammatically correct alternative is "first time hearing". For example, "This is my first time hearing this song" is correct.

Is there a difference in meaning between "first time hear" and "first time hearing"?

Yes, "first time hear" is grammatically incorrect and doesn't convey a clear meaning. "First time hearing" is the correct and commonly used form to describe the initial experience of hearing something.

When should I use "first time hearing" versus "the first time I heard"?

"First time hearing" is suitable when describing a general experience, like "It was my first time hearing an orchestra." "The first time I heard" is used to describe a specific instance, like "The first time I heard that song, I was amazed".