give it a listen

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "give it a listen" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to encourage someone to listen to something, for example: "Give it a listen - this new song is really catchy!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Counting Crows – Mrs Potter's Lullaby Just give it a listen.

The Guardian - Music

So go ahead and give it a listen.

The Guardian

If you don't mind dated synth sounds, give it a listen.

The Guardian - Music

And then I'd give it a listen and I might not like it at first.

The Guardian - Music

The music service Spotify, for example, will post the name of every song you play, with a link to it should other Facebook users want to give it a listen.

The New York Times - Tech

Scoff if you must at my selection, but give it a listen; this is an operatic farewell to the character you play in the game and is, in my opinion, a beautiful piece of music: Your thoughts?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

I guess I just never had given it a listen.

The New York Times - Arts

"A friend of mine left an cassette of Sister Rosetta's music in my car a few years ago, and when I finally gave it a listen, I was totally bowled over," said Mr. Carpentieri, explaining how he got the idea for the CD.

The New York Times

Hows abouts giving it a listen.

Vice

A teacher confiscated the tape from Revan Bramadika, the drummer of Rajasinga, and gave it a listen.

Vice

This was the case for Hirini Melbourne's Forest & Ocean; interesting people would buy this CD, tucked away in the World section (problematic as he was an Aotearoa artist), and eventually I gave it a listen.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "give it a listen" when you want to casually recommend audio content, like a song or podcast, to someone. It's friendly and inviting.

Common error

Avoid using "give it a listen" in formal writing. It's too casual for business reports or academic papers. Instead, use phrases like "consider listening" or "we recommend listening".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "give it a listen" functions as an imperative, directly urging the listener to take the action of listening to something. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Reference

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "give it a listen" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to recommend audio content. It is classified as an imperative phrase with an informal register, making it best suited for casual conversation or writing. As Ludwig AI confirms, its purpose is to encourage someone to listen to something, often with the implied belief that they will enjoy it. While highly prevalent in news and media, it should be avoided in formal academic or business contexts. Alternatives such as "take a listen" or "have a listen" can serve as more formal substitutes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take a listen

Emphasizes the act of listening; slightly more formal.

have a listen

Similar in meaning, common in British English.

listen to this

Direct and immediate request for attention.

check it out

More general, can refer to any form of media, not just audio.

listen closely

Emphasizes the need for careful listening.

tune in

Suggests listening to a broadcast or program.

try listening

Suggests an experiment; less assertive.

lend an ear

More figurative, implying careful attention.

hear this out

Implies listening to the entire content, even if initially skeptical.

give it a hearing

More formal, suggesting a fair evaluation.

FAQs

What does "give it a listen" mean?

The phrase "give it a listen" means to try listening to something, usually to form an opinion or simply for enjoyment. It's a casual way to recommend something to someone.

When is it appropriate to use "give it a listen"?

It is appropriate to use "give it a listen" in informal settings, such as conversations with friends, casual emails, or social media posts. Avoid using it in formal writing or professional communications.

What can I say instead of "give it a listen"?

You can use alternatives like "take a listen", "have a listen", or "check it out" depending on the context.

Is "give it a listen" grammatically correct?

Yes, "give it a listen" is grammatically correct and commonly used in spoken and written English, although it's considered informal.