hear a speech

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hear a speech" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of listening to someone deliver a speech, typically in a formal or public setting. Example: "I was excited to hear a speech from the keynote speaker at the conference."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

On Outsiders, nobody will be forced to hear a speech from the cast of Hamilton.

The Guardian - Opinion

How did they enter the secret training camp and hear a speech by Osama bin Laden?

The New York Times

In late May, the couple took Maeve to hear a speech Bloomberg gave in support of same-sex marriage.

The New York Times

Many turned out to hear a speech from India's prime minister during his first visit in May.

The Economist

When you hear a speech in home-county-accented French or German, Britain will be a little more serious about securing its place in Europe.

The Economist

In February of 1969, Susan Elizabeth Reese, a first-year student at Harvard Law School, went to hear a speech by Melvin Belli, the San Francisco lawyer.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

They heard a speech about China.

The New York Times

I wish my 14-year-old self heard a speech on hanging pine fresheners from vaginas.

Independent

"I have not heard a speech that long and rambling since Atlanta in '88!" James Carville joked.

The New York Times

"Tonight we heard a speech," said Assemblyman Herb Wesson, a Democrat from Los Angeles.

The New York Times

Further Questions for Discussion: -Have you ever heard a speech that you felt impacted you personally?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hear a speech" when you want to emphasize the act of listening to a formal or prepared address, rather than simply being present while someone is talking.

Common error

Avoid using "hear a speech" in casual contexts; opt for alternatives like "hear someone talk" or "listen to someone" when informality is preferred.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hear a speech" functions as a verb phrase, where "hear" is the main verb indicating the act of listening, and "a speech" is the direct object. Ludwig AI examples show its use in various contexts, illustrating its function in conveying the action of listening to a prepared address.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hear a speech" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the act of listening to a formal address. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across various contexts, predominantly in news and media. While generally neutral in register, it can lean towards formality depending on the specific situation. When writing, use "hear a speech" to emphasize the act of actively listening to a prepared address. For casual contexts, consider alternatives like "hear someone talk". Overall, the analysis indicates that "hear a speech" is a versatile and well-established phrase in English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hear a lecture

Synonymous, emphasizing the act of listening to a formal talk.

hear someone speak

Focuses on the act of listening to someone delivering remarks, without specifying the formality.

listen to an address

Replaces "speech" with "address", implying a more formal or important talk.

attend a lecture

Substitutes "speech" with "lecture", suggesting an academic or educational context.

listen to a presentation

Similar, combining 'listen' with the idea of a presentation.

go to a presentation

Uses "presentation" instead of "speech", indicating a visual or multimedia component may be involved.

be present for a speech

Emphasizes attendance and being physically there for the speech.

witness a discourse

Replaces "hear" with "witness" and "speech" with "discourse", adding a more formal and observational tone.

catch a talk

Uses "catch" instead of "hear" and "talk" instead of "speech", creating a more casual and informal tone.

sit through a speech

Implies enduring or passively listening to a speech, often one that may be lengthy or uninteresting.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "hear a speech"?

You can use alternatives like "listen to an address", "attend a lecture", or "go to a presentation" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "heard a speech" or should I use another verb tense?

The correct verb tense depends on the context. "Heard a speech" is past tense, while "hear a speech" is present tense. Choose the tense that accurately reflects when the action occurred.

What is the difference between "hear a speech" and "give a speech"?

"Hear a speech" refers to the act of listening to a speech, while "give a speech" refers to the act of delivering one. They are opposite actions.

How to use "hear a speech" in a sentence?

You can use "hear a speech" in sentences like, "I went to the conference to "hear a speech" by the CEO" or "She was excited to "hear a speech" about the future of technology".