he heard about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he heard about" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to someone learning or being informed about a particular topic or event. Example: "He heard about the new restaurant opening downtown and decided to check it out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But he heard about it.

The New York Times - Sports

He heard about these guys online.

The New York Times

Then he heard about the SCAD.

The New Yorker

Then he heard about housing first.

Independent

But through serendipity, he heard about me.

Princeton University

Later he heard about friction at George Washington High School.

The New Yorker

Then he heard about the notebook.

The Washington Post

Until he heard about Cambridge Analytica.

The New York Times - Tech

Lee was at Cornell when he heard about this.

The New Yorker

Reeve was excited when he heard about such daring research.

The New Yorker

He heard about Don Best's successful defense and called Lyon.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context when choosing an alternative; "he learned of" might be more appropriate in formal settings, while "he found out about" could suit more casual situations.

Common error

Avoid using slang or overly informal alternatives like "he got wind of" in professional or academic writing; stick to more neutral options like "he learned about" or "he was informed about".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he heard about" functions as a verb phrase indicating the reception of information. It signifies that a person became aware of something through some form of communication. Ludwig provides numerous examples to illustrate this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he heard about" is a common and generally neutral way to express that someone received information, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While grammatically sound and widely used across various contexts, it's important to consider the specific setting and audience when choosing between "he heard about" and its more formal or informal alternatives. Predominantly found in News & Media, Academic, and Science sources, the phrase is a reliable choice for conveying the reception of information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he learned of

Focuses on the act of gaining knowledge, often implying a more formal or indirect acquisition of information.

he found out about

Emphasizes the discovery aspect of learning information, suggesting a more active or investigative process.

he became aware of

Highlights the state of being informed, often implying a gradual realization or understanding.

he was informed about

Suggests a formal or official communication of information to the person.

he came to know of

Implies a gradual process of learning, often through indirect means or over time.

he got wind of

Suggests learning about something secret or confidential, often through gossip or rumor.

he discovered

Focuses on the act of finding something previously unknown, implying a more intentional search for information.

he received information about

Highlights the act of being given information, often from a specific source or channel.

he was told about

Emphasizes the act of someone telling him the information.

he understood

Focuses on comprehension and grasping the meaning of information rather than just hearing it.

FAQs

How can I use "he heard about" in a sentence?

Use "he heard about" to indicate that someone received information about something, often indirectly. For example: "He heard about the job opening from a friend".

What can I say instead of "he heard about"?

You can use alternatives like "he learned of", "he found out about", or "he became aware of" depending on the context.

Is "he heard about" formal or informal?

"He heard about" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in most contexts. However, for very formal situations, consider using "he was informed about".

What's the difference between "he heard about" and "he knew about"?

"He heard about" indicates that someone received information, while "he knew about" implies prior knowledge or awareness. Hearing about something is the act of receiving information, while knowing implies comprehension or understanding.