hate to hear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hate to hear" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing regret or disappointment about something someone has shared or reported. Example: "I really hate to hear that you are feeling unwell; I hope you recover soon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

The Europeans will hate to hear it.

University of California, Berkeley

I hate to hear that," he said.

The Guardian

"I hate to hear that," Droste said.

The Guardian

Our three boys hate to hear the generator running.

The New York Times

"It's realistic, but I hate to hear it".

The Guardian

That is a question the computer and telecoms industries hate to hear.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

I hated to hear about the 73-0.

The Washington Post

She hated to hear the word "escape" used about fiction.

The New Yorker

"I hated to hear he was leaving," she said.

The New York Times - Tech

I'd have hated to hear that Russell had been dragged, terrified, to his death.

The Guardian

Hates to hear: "I just got my hair done and I can't sweat today".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hate to hear" to express genuine disappointment or regret when someone shares unpleasant news. It conveys empathy and acknowledges the speaker's feelings.

Common error

While "hate to hear" is acceptable, avoid using it repeatedly in a short span. Vary your responses with alternatives like "I'm sorry to hear that" or "That's unfortunate" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hate to hear" functions as an emotional response to information received. It expresses a negative reaction, indicating disappointment, sadness, or regret. Ludwig confirms that it is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hate to hear" is a common and grammatically correct way to express disappointment, regret, or aversion upon hearing something. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it is used primarily in News & Media and Academic contexts, conveying empathy and shared negative sentiment. When writing, use "hate to hear" to respond to unpleasant news, but vary your language to avoid repetition. Alternatives include "sorry to hear" and "regret to hear". Ludwig AI confirms its broad acceptability in neutral registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sorry to hear

Indicates sympathy or regret upon hearing bad news.

disappointed to hear

Highlights the feeling of disappointment caused by the information.

saddened to hear

Emphasizes the feeling of sadness upon receiving certain information.

regret to hear

Expresses a formal sense of regret about something that has been heard.

unhappy to hear

A straightforward way to say that the news received was not pleasing.

dislike to hear

Uses a less intense verb to convey a similar feeling of not wanting to hear something.

it's unfortunate to hear

Similar to 'it's a pity', emphasizing the unfortunate nature of the information.

it's a pity to hear

Expresses that something is unfortunate or regrettable to hear.

it pains me to hear

Indicates that the information causes emotional distress or pain.

distressed to hear

Expresses that someone is upset after receiving certain information.

FAQs

What does "hate to hear" mean?

The phrase "hate to hear" expresses disappointment, regret, or aversion upon hearing something. It indicates that the information received is unwelcome or causes unhappiness.

How can I use "hate to hear" in a sentence?

You can use "hate to hear" when responding to someone sharing bad news or an unfortunate situation. For example, "I really "hate to hear" that you're not feeling well."

What are some alternatives to "hate to hear"?

You can use alternatives like "sorry to hear", "dislike to hear", or "regret to hear" depending on the context and level of formality.

When is it appropriate to use "hate to hear"?

It's appropriate to use "hate to hear" in informal and neutral contexts when you want to express genuine empathy or disappointment. Avoid using it in overly formal settings or when a more professional response is required.