hear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hear" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of perceiving sound or when expressing understanding or acknowledgment of something. Example: "I can hear the music playing from the other room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Do you hear me?

The New York Times

We will act differently from the Government we replace: we hear the anguish of our citizens and intend to respond accordingly.

The Guardian

Hear that?

The New York Times

Hear, hear.

The New York Times

Madmen in authority, who hear voices in the air, are distilling their frenzy from some academic scribbler of a few years back".

The Economist

As well as a keynote speech from the government's adviser on big society, Lord Wei, delegates will also hear first hand accounts of how other local government managers are implementing big society in their councils and the best practice they have developed.

The Guardian

So next time you hear someone mouthing off about bloody immigrants, ask how many kids they have, how old they were when they had them and whether or not they expect those children to look after them when they get seriously old.

The Guardian

We'd love to hear your responses to these stories and any others you've read recently, both at Guardian Cities and elsewhere: share your thoughts in the comments below.

The Guardian

No one wants to hear it.

The New York Times

Dressed in a black lace Armani Prive gown which had fashion writers salivating, Blanchett admitted to having "downed a few vodkas" while waiting to hear if she had won her third Golden Globe.

The Guardian - Film

Her commitment to fair wages and the barriers she will chip away to achieve them are fascinating to hear.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hear" when you want to describe the act of perceiving sound, whether intentionally or unintentionally. For deliberate listening, consider using "listen".

Common error

Avoid using "here" in place of "hear". "Here" indicates a location, while "hear" refers to the ability to perceive sound. For example, "I can hear you" is correct, not "I can here you".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "hear" is as a verb, denoting the perception of sound through the ears. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound. The verb can also extend to mean to receive information. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its usage in various sentence structures and tenses.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Social Media

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The verb "hear" is a grammatically correct and very common term used to denote the perception of sound or the receipt of information. As Ludwig AI indicates, the term is widely applicable, from casual conversation to formal reporting. While its usage is generally straightforward, it's important to distinguish "hear" from "here" and to be mindful of context when choosing between "hear" and "listen". Several authoritative sources, including The Guardian and The New York Times, exemplify its frequent use in diverse contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

listen to

Implies a conscious effort to pay attention to a sound.

perceive

Focuses on the mental awareness of sound, rather than just the physical act of hearing.

overhear

Suggests hearing something unintentionally or without the speaker's knowledge.

get word

Implies receiving news or a message.

make out

Indicates difficulty in hearing clearly, requiring effort to understand.

learn of

Focuses on gaining knowledge or information through auditory means or communication.

catch

Emphasizes briefly hearing or understanding something.

be informed

Highlights the formal aspect of receiving information.

get wind of

Means to receive information or a rumor, often unofficially or secretly.

understand

Focuses on comprehending the meaning behind what is heard, not just the sound itself.

FAQs

How can I use "hear" in a sentence?

You can use "hear" to describe the act of perceiving sound, like "I can hear the birds singing", or to mean receiving information, such as "I hear that you're getting married".

What's the difference between "hear" and "listen"?

"Hear" generally refers to passively perceiving sounds, while "listen" implies actively paying attention to those sounds. For example, "I hear music" versus "I'm listening to music".

What can I say instead of "I hear you" to show empathy?

Alternatives to "I hear you" include "I understand", "I "sympathize"", or "I "get where you're coming from"", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I can here you"?

No, it's incorrect. The correct phrase is "I can "hear" you". "Hear" refers to the ability to perceive sound, while "here" indicates a location.