hear a word

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hear a word" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of listening to or acknowledging something that has been said. Example: "I didn't hear a word of what he said during the meeting because I was distracted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

I couldn't hear a word he said.

The New York Times

I won't hear a word against JKR.

The Guardian

Unsurprisingly, the guitarist won't hear a word against him.

Independent

London can see George Alagiah but can't hear a word.

The Guardian - Business

Vajpayee will not hear a word against his protégé Modi.

The New York Times

I can't hear a word that he says".

The Guardian - Film

For years I didn't hear a word from him.

The New Yorker

-- the fireplace, I think, and you didn't hear a word.

The New York Times

Or he'd be smiling because he didn't hear a word".

The New York Times

"I can't hear a word you're saying," I said.

The New York Times

I couldn't hear a word they were saying.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing that someone refuses to accept any criticism or negative comments, use "won't hear a word against". For example, "He "won't hear a word against" his favorite sports team."

Common error

Avoid using "hear a word" when you simply mean someone didn't speak. The phrase implies that speech occurred but wasn't understood or heeded, not that there was silence. For instance, instead of "After the argument, I didn't "hear a word" from her", consider using "After the argument, she didn't speak to me at all".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hear a word" functions primarily as a verb phrase, often used to express a lack of comprehension or attention. It indicates that the listener either did not understand what was said or disregarded it entirely. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hear a word" is a versatile phrase used to express a lack of understanding or a refusal to accept criticism. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in News & Media. When using this phrase, consider the context and ensure it accurately reflects the intended meaning of incomprehension or strong disagreement. While "hear a word" is generally neutral in tone, the specific context can influence its overall impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

understand anything

Emphasizes comprehension rather than simply hearing.

pay attention

Highlights the act of focusing on what is being said.

listen carefully

Suggests a more deliberate and attentive act of hearing.

take criticism

Focuses on accepting negative feedback.

tolerate dissent

Implies allowing opposing viewpoints to be voiced.

heed advice

Stresses following guidance or recommendations.

accept input

Indicates openness to receiving suggestions or information.

consider opinions

Highlights the act of weighing different viewpoints.

register information

Focuses on the brain processing verbal information.

absorb knowledge

Implies a deeper understanding and retention of information.

FAQs

How can I use "hear a word" in a sentence?

You can use "hear a word" to indicate a lack of comprehension or refusal to accept criticism. For example, "I couldn't "hear a word" he said over the noise" or "She won't "hear a word" against her best friend".

What does it mean when someone says they “won't hear a word against” something?

It means they strongly defend that thing and refuse to listen to any criticism of it. For example, "He "won't hear a word against" his favorite band."

What are some alternatives to saying "I didn't hear a word"?

Depending on the context, you could say "I didn't understand anything", "I wasn't paying attention", or "I missed everything he said".

Is it correct to say "I didn't hear one word" instead of "I didn't "hear a word""?

Both are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning, but "I didn't "hear a word"" is a more common and idiomatic expression.