hear back from

USAGE SUMMARY

"hear back from" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used when someone is waiting for a response from someone else, either verbally or in writing. For example: "I emailed the company several days ago, but I haven't heard back from them yet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I didn't hear back from Joint Stock.

The Guardian

"You will hear back from me soon.

The Guardian - Business

He did not hear back from Zeiba.

The Guardian

They are waiting to hear back from forces abroad.

Independent

And then I hear back from Thomasina Miers.

Independent

She was waiting to hear back from him.

The New York Times

We shall await to hear back from them.

The Guardian

I'm just waiting to hear back from the commissioner now.

The Guardian

"We really want to hear back from our allies.

The New York Times

"We're waiting to hear back from them," he said.

The New York Times

Finally, stay upbeat if you don't hear back from firms.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hear back from", be specific about the expected timeframe to manage expectations. For example: "I expect to hear back from you by Friday."

Common error

Avoid using the past perfect tense when a simple past tense suffices. Instead of saying 'I had hoped to hear back from them sooner', say 'I hoped to hear back from them sooner'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hear back from" functions as a phrasal verb, specifically indicating the act of receiving a response or communication. It's derived from the verb "hear" combined with the adverbial particle "back" and the preposition "from", signifying a return of communication. Ludwig examples confirm its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

13%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hear back from" is a common phrasal verb that means to receive a response from someone. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use across various domains, particularly in News & Media. While the phrase is suitable for many contexts, considering alternatives like "receive a response from" or "get a reply from" can add nuance to your writing. Remember to specify a timeframe when possible and avoid using past perfect tense unnecessarily. By keeping these tips in mind, you can ensure your writing is clear, effective and avoids common mistakes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get a reply from

This alternative is a simpler and more direct way of saying "hear back from".

receive a response from

This alternative is a more formal way to express the same idea of getting a reply.

get word from

This suggests receiving news or information, possibly informal.

be contacted by

This is a passive construction emphasizing the action of being reached.

receive communication from

This is a more formal and broad way to describe getting any kind of message.

be notified by

This implies receiving an official or important announcement.

obtain feedback from

This implies getting constructive criticism or comments, rather than a simple response.

get in touch with

This indicates establishing contact, which may or may not include a prior communication.

get a hold of

This suggests successfully connecting with someone, often after some difficulty.

make contact with

This implies initiating the conversation, can be slightly different from QUERY depending on the context.

FAQs

What does "hear back from" mean?

The phrase "hear back from" means to receive a response or communication from someone, usually after having contacted them.

How can I use "hear back from" in a sentence?

You can use "hear back from" in a sentence like this: "I'm waiting to hear back from the hiring manager after my interview."

What can I say instead of "hear back from"?

You can use alternatives like "receive a response from", "get a reply from", or "be contacted by".

Is it correct to say "heard back from"?

Yes, "heard back from" is the past tense form of "hear back from" and is perfectly correct to use when referring to a past event. For instance, "I "heard back from" them yesterday".