hear nothing of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hear nothing of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone has not received any information or news about a particular subject or person. Example: "I haven't heard anything about the project; I hear nothing of its progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

She would hear nothing of it.

The New York Times

Mr. Bloomberg would hear nothing of it; he insisted that an agreement must extend for perpetuity.

The New York Times

For now, Saban wants to hear nothing of the job rumors.

The New York Times - Sports

And here the Afghan war is still an enormous open wound, an ongoing war, and you hear nothing of that".

The New York Times

"But Raoul and I have a 89% compatibility!" – Erik's explosives will hear nothing of it.

The Guardian

Others at the table joined in to defend him, but Ingraham would hear nothing of it.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

The world heard nothing of these discoveries.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For four months, his family heard nothing of him.

The New York Times

He had heard nothing of the other welcoming committee.

The New Yorker

Another witness said he heard nothing of the sort.

The New York Times

Hirst's champions were hearing nothing of it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hear nothing of" to indicate a strong unwillingness to accept or consider an idea or suggestion. For example, "He would "hear nothing of" leaving his post, despite the danger."

Common error

Avoid using "hear nothing of" when simply indicating a lack of information. This phrase implies a deliberate refusal to consider something, not just a lack of awareness. For example, instead of saying "I "hear nothing of" the new policy", say "I haven't heard anything about the new policy" if you simply lack information.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "hear nothing of" is to act as an idiomatic verb phrase. It's used to express a strong refusal to consider or accept something. As Ludwig AI shows, this expression appears frequently in contexts where a decision or suggestion is being rejected.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hear nothing of" is a valuable idiomatic expression used to convey a strong refusal to consider or accept an idea or suggestion. Ludwig AI confirms its prevalence in news and media, showcasing its utility in various communication contexts. While grammatically correct and widely understood, it's important to remember that this phrase implies more than just a lack of awareness; it signifies a deliberate rejection. For alternative expressions, consider using "know nothing about" or "be unaware of" when simply indicating a lack of information. Using this expression accurately will enhance your writing and ensure clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

know nothing about

Emphasizes a complete lack of knowledge or information.

have no knowledge of

Similar to 'know nothing about' but slightly more formal.

have not been told of

Highlights a lack of being informed by another party.

be unaware of

Highlights a state of not being conscious or informed.

remain uninformed about

Highlights a continuous state of lacking information.

not entertain the idea of

Focuses on a refusal to consider or accept a suggestion or possibility.

refuse to listen to

Implies a deliberate rejection of information or advice.

turn a deaf ear to

Idiomatic expression indicating a refusal to listen.

reject outright

Suggests a firm and immediate refusal.

disregard completely

Implies ignoring or neglecting something entirely.

FAQs

What does "hear nothing of" mean?

The phrase "hear nothing of" means to refuse to consider, accept, or listen to something. It suggests a strong unwillingness to engage with a particular idea or suggestion.

How can I use "hear nothing of" in a sentence?

You can use "hear nothing of" to indicate that someone is unwilling to consider something. For example: "She would "hear nothing of" moving to the countryside."

What are some alternatives to "hear nothing of"?

Some alternatives to "hear nothing of" include "know nothing about", "be unaware of", or "refuse to listen to", depending on the specific context.

Is it more formal to say "hear nothing of" or "know nothing about"?

"Know nothing about" is generally considered less formal than "hear nothing of". "Hear nothing of" often implies a deliberate refusal to consider something, whereas "know nothing about" simply indicates a lack of information.