has the ear of

USAGE SUMMARY

"has the ear of" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It typically means that someone is able to get the attention and influence of someone else, as if they have their ear or are able to whisper in their ear. Example: "Despite being the youngest member of the board, Clara has the ear of the CEO, making her a valuable ally in any decision-making process." In this sentence, "has the ear of" conveys that Clara is able to communicate effectively with the CEO and has their trust and influence.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He has the ear of world leaders.

The Economist

And it has the ear of the media.

The Guardian

Ms. Arrillaga-Andreessen has the ear of billionaires.

The New York Times

Already, he has the ear of presidents and prime ministers.

Independent

It has the ear of policy makers worldwide, too.

The New York Times

He is both a friend of Gordon Brown, and has the ear of Tony Blair.

The Guardian

"She has the ear of her son," the Turkish official said.

The Guardian

Pérez Esquivel has the ear of a powerful ally: the former bishop of Buenos Aires.

The Guardian

He is not looking like a man who has the ear of his boss.

The Guardian - Opinion

Significantly, he has the ear of, among others, Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsène Wenger and Pep Guardiola.

The Guardian - Sport

But he has the ear of the most powerful corporations in the nation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formal content, make sure the source is trustful.

Common error

Avoid using "has the ear of" when simply referring to someone having the opportunity to speak with an influential person. The phrase implies a deeper level of trust and influence beyond mere access.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has the ear of" functions as a predicate within a sentence, indicating that a person or entity possesses the ability to influence someone else, typically someone in a position of power or authority. As Ludwig AI explains, it implies access and influence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The idiomatic phrase "has the ear of" signifies influence and the ability to affect decisions, primarily in news and media, as well as formal business contexts. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and widely used, implying more than just access; it suggests a valued opinion. Alternatives such as "is listened to by" and "is influential with" can be used for similar meanings. When using this phrase, ensure you're indicating a genuine level of trust and influence, not just mere contact. This phrase is recognized across various authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is listened to by

Focuses on the act of paying attention to someone's opinions or advice.

is consulted by

Highlights that someone's advice is sought and valued by another.

has the confidence of

Indicates trust and reliance, focusing on the positive relationship that grants influence.

carries weight with

Suggests that someone's opinion is respected and considered important by another person.

is influential with

Highlights the degree of impact someone has on another person or group.

exerts influence on

Emphasizes the active application of influence on someone's thoughts or actions.

commands the attention of

Emphasizes the ability to attract focus and be heard by someone.

holds sway over

Implies a degree of control or dominance in influencing someone's decisions.

is in favor with

Indicates a position of being liked or approved by someone influential.

has access to

Focuses on the opportunity to communicate with and influence someone.

FAQs

How can I use "has the ear of" in a sentence?

Use "has the ear of" to indicate that someone's advice and opinions are valued by an influential person. For example, "The advisor "has the ear of" the president on economic matters".

What does "has the ear of" mean?

The phrase "has the ear of" means that someone is able to get the attention and influence of an important person. This implies that the person's opinions and advice are valued and considered.

What can I say instead of "has the ear of"?

You can use alternatives like "is listened to by", "is influential with", or "has the confidence of" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "has the ear of" in formal writing?

Yes, "has the ear of" can be used in formal writing. It is a well-established idiomatic phrase and is found in many news articles and business articles. It is suitable for expressing influence in various contexts.