he heard that

USAGE SUMMARY

"he heard that" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that a person has received information or heard something from another source. Example: He heard that the company was planning to downsize and lay off employees next month.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Maybe he heard that kind of thing is allowed now.

The Guardian - Sport

I asked him how he felt when he heard that kind of thing.

The New Yorker

He cut out sugar and ate beets he grew in his garden because he heard that might help.

The New York Times - Health

In April he heard that his father was gravely ill.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He said he heard that he would be activated Tuesday.

The New York Times

If he heard that he would be astonished.

The New York Times

Hull just laughed when he heard that.

The New York Times - Sports

Detective Isnora did not say he heard that.

The New York Times

That was when he heard that Allstate was hiring.

The New York Times - Magazine

He says he heard that Shapiro was a lawyer now.

The New Yorker

From Wal-Mart, he heard that vending-machine concepts were popular in its Japanese division, Seiyu.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he heard that", ensure the context provides clarity about the source of the information. This adds credibility and allows the reader to assess the reliability of the claim.

Common error

Avoid using "he heard that" as the sole basis for making important decisions or spreading critical information. Always seek corroborating evidence from more reliable sources.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he heard that" functions as a reporting clause, introducing information that someone received from an unspecified source. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. The phrase essentially reports hearsay or second-hand information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Encyclopedias

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he heard that" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to report information received by someone, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its primary function is to relay information from an unspecified source. While broadly applicable, its use is most prevalent in News & Media. When using this phrase, consider clarifying the source to enhance credibility and avoid relying solely on hearsay. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this phrase in context from reliable sources, further illustrating its versatility and proper usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was informed that

Emphasizes a formal conveyance of information.

he was told that

Directly indicates being told information by someone.

he learned that

Focuses on the acquisition of knowledge, not necessarily through direct hearing.

he understood that

Highlights comprehension of previously unknown information.

he discovered that

Implies finding something out, possibly through investigation.

he came to know that

Suggests a gradual realization or discovery.

he gathered that

Highlights inferring information from available cues, not necessarily direct words.

he ascertained that

Stresses confirmed information, often through methodical effort.

news reached him that

Indicates the arrival of news, often unexpectedly.

word reached him that

Focuses on a report or rumor circulating and eventually reaching him.

FAQs

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

You can use "he heard that" to report information someone received. For instance, "He heard that the meeting was postponed" indicates he received news of the postponement.

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

You can use alternatives like "he learned that", "he was told that", or "he was informed that" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "he heard that" or "he had heard that"?

Both are correct, but "he heard that" is simple past tense, indicating a single event. "He had heard that" is past perfect, suggesting the information was received before another past event.

What's the difference between "he heard that" and "he read that"?

"He heard that" implies auditory reception of information, while "he read that" indicates visual reception, suggesting the information was obtained from written material.