have heard

USAGE SUMMARY

"have heard" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an example of the present perfect tense which is used to talk about an action that happened at an unspecified time before now. For example, "I have heard about your new job. Congratulations!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I have heard.

The Economist

(I, however, have heard otherwise).

The New Yorker

He would have heard them.

The New York Times

"I have heard," he says.

The New Yorker

"You may have heard that.

The New York Times

We have heard this before.

The Economist

They have heard about it.

The New Yorker

Gabe must have heard something.

The New Yorker

I have heard "O.K".

The New York Times - Travel

Others have heard.

The Guardian

"We have heard everything.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have heard" to indicate that you received information without necessarily vouching for its accuracy. It's useful when relaying rumors or unverified reports.

Common error

Avoid using "have heard" when you possess confirmed knowledge. "Have heard" implies the information is second-hand or not fully verified; use "know" when you are certain.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have heard" functions as a present perfect verb phrase, indicating a completed action with present relevance. It signals the reception of information without necessarily confirming its veracity, as Ludwig's examples illustrate.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have heard" is a versatile phrase indicating the reception of information. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions as a present perfect verb phrase, commonly employed in neutral contexts such as news and media. It's crucial to use "have heard" when you want to acknowledge information without necessarily confirming its accuracy, differentiating it from "know", which implies certainty. Remember to avoid using it when more direct alternatives like "am aware of" or "understand" are more appropriate. Overall, mastery of "have heard" will help you communicate with precision and nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been told

Emphasizes the act of receiving information from someone, rather than simply hearing it.

have been informed

Suggests a formal communication of information, often by an authority or reliable source.

it has been brought to my attention

Highlights the fact that information was intentionally directed towards the speaker.

am aware of

Indicates knowledge or consciousness of something, similar to having heard about it.

have learned

Highlights the acquisition of knowledge, often through a more formal or deliberate process than simply hearing.

am familiar with

Suggests a degree of acquaintance or understanding, implying more than just having heard.

have come to know

Indicates a gradual process of gaining knowledge, often through experience or repeated exposure.

understand

Implies comprehension and knowledge, which could stem from having heard something.

I gather that

Implies drawing a conclusion or inference from information received.

it is my understanding

Frames the information as a personal interpretation or conclusion based on what has been heard or learned.

FAQs

How can I use "have heard" in a sentence?

You can use "have heard" to indicate you've received information, like in "I "have heard" the company is downsizing" or "Have heard anything about the new project?"

What can I say instead of "have heard"?

You can use alternatives like "am aware of", "have been told", or "understand" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "I have heard" or "I had heard"?

"I "have heard"" (present perfect) indicates the information is relevant now. "I had heard" (past perfect) refers to something you learned before a specific point in the past.

What's the difference between "have heard" and "heard about"?

"Have heard" generally implies receiving information. "Heard about" suggests a more specific instance or event. For example, "I "have heard" good things about that restaurant" vs "I heard about the accident at the intersection".