had heard before

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had heard before" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone has previously received information or knowledge about a particular subject or event. Example: "I had heard before that the meeting was rescheduled, but I didn't receive the official notice until today."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He wrote that the Yugoslavs "considered me, rightly or wrongly, a distinguished person in the U.S., and they were pleased that someone whose name they had heard before was being sent to Belgrade".

Wikipedia

The power of the songs, nobody had heard before.

The New York Times

It was a refrain Mr. Holder had heard before.

The New York Times

For biology majors, this introduction would be a simple review of concepts they had heard before.

University of California, Berkeley

I had heard before I ever saw it that Susan's apartment was a famous crash pad.

The New York Times

It was a concert of disparate but emotionally related works unlike any I had heard before.

The New York Times - Arts

The noise was so loud it was unlike anything people had heard before.

The New York Times

The roar of the explosion was unlike anything Abdulkafi al-Hamdo had heard before.

The Guardian

That's a line of attack that Ms. Burana said she had heard before.

The New York Times - Style

The story Hogue told me corresponded in most of its particulars with the story I had heard before.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

I wanted to make a piece of music that sounded nothing like anything I had heard before something that had this intense contrast of bubble-gum and a hyper-abstracted version of metal.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had heard before" to indicate that someone possessed prior knowledge of a fact, event, or statement. This clarifies that the information wasn't new to them, adding context to their reaction or understanding. It can also create a sense of shared experience or recognition.

Common error

Avoid using "had heard before" when you actually mean "heard of before". The former indicates a specific piece of information was previously received, while the latter suggests a general awareness of something's existence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had heard before" functions as part of a verb phrase in the past perfect tense, indicating a completed action prior to another point in time. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, where the phrase is used to express prior knowledge or awareness of a subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Academia

13%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had heard before" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to indicate prior knowledge or awareness. Ludwig confirms its correctness and wide applicability. While suitable for neutral and formal contexts, it commonly appears in news and media and academic sources. When writing, ensure you're using it to express previous receipt of information, distinguishing it from simply "heard of". Remember to consider alternative phrasing for semantic variety. The expression's frequency and consistent usage across varied sources underscores its importance in effectively communicating pre-existing understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had prior knowledge of

Highlights the possession of existing information regarding a subject.

was previously aware of

Focuses on prior awareness, often suggesting a more formal or conscious recognition.

had been told previously

Implies that the information was conveyed verbally at an earlier time.

knew about previously

Emphasizes prior knowledge, implying some level of understanding or information.

had learned of before

Indicates that the knowledge was acquired through a learning process.

had been informed of

Suggests that the information was received from an external source.

was already familiar with

Implies a degree of acquaintance or understanding developed over time.

recognized from earlier

Focuses on the act of identifying something based on past experience.

had encountered before

Highlights a previous interaction or experience with something.

had come across previously

Suggests a less direct or intentional acquisition of information.

FAQs

How can I use "had heard before" in a sentence?

Use "had heard before" to indicate that someone was previously informed or aware of something. For example: "I "had heard before" that the company was struggling, but I didn't realize how serious it was."

What is a synonym for "had heard before"?

A synonym for ""had heard before"" could be "was previously aware of". For example: "She was previously aware of the risks involved."

Is "had heard before" grammatically correct?

Yes, ""had heard before"" is grammatically correct. It's the past perfect tense of the verb "hear", used to describe an action completed before another point in time.

What's the difference between "had heard before" and "heard of before"?

"Had heard before" implies that you received specific information previously. "Heard of before" simply means you were aware of something's existence, but not necessarily details. For example, "I had heard before about the company's new policy" versus "I had heard of the company before, but knew nothing about their policies".