hear someone out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hear someone out" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when you want to indicate that you are willing to listen to someone’s thoughts or opinions before making a judgment. Example: "Before we make a decision, let's hear him out and consider his perspective."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Hi, I'm, I can hear someone out the back and I, I'm not sure if she's having sex or being raped," Damond said on the call to a 911 operator Saturday night before her death.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

(Sometimes the resolution itself comes from fully hearing someone out and no further solution is needed!) So the next time you have an urge to say something in a rude or caustic manner, try stating your feelings in a kind and respectful way and see what happens.

Huffington Post

Listening well can sometimes resolve an issue for you; by waiting patiently and hearing someone out, they may actually say the very thing you're wondering about.

WikiHow

Be that as it may, engaging in genuine exchanges of opinion, and defending your own point of view, is just as necessary as patience in hearing someone out.

Forbes

"Nassau cops that were at the scene said they did hear someone yell out, 'Gun!

The New York Times

"I could hear someone calling out 'help me, help me', and passengers started knocking on my door.

Independent

But Mr. Zhang said he could hear someone "crying out in pain" from Mr. Xue's cell.

The New York Times

Listen hard and you can hear someone calling out for Shane and see vivid evidence of the human need to idealize.

The New York Times - Arts

Brodeur said he could hear someone shouting out, "Marty!" But Brodeur said he did not know if they meant him or Tampa Bay's Martin St . Louis

The New York Times - Sports

Listeners were receptive; in the title song from "Lovers Speak," she sang, "I wanna hear someone call out my name," and fans immediately yelled, "Joan!" Her latest songs don't make radical breaks from her old ones.

The New York Times - Arts

One day, as your eyes contemplate one of these objects passing by, you hear someone call out and name this large, steel box: a Car.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hear someone out" when you want to emphasize the importance of listening to the entirety of someone's argument or explanation before forming an opinion or making a decision.

Common error

Avoid interrupting the speaker before they have finished their thought. The purpose of "hearing someone out" is defeated if you cut them off.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "hear someone out" functions as a request or suggestion to listen attentively to someone's full explanation or argument before making a judgment. This usage is supported by examples in Ludwig, which demonstrate its role in encouraging open-mindedness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "hear someone out" encourages active listening and complete consideration of another person's perspective before making a judgment. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable. While not extremely common, it appears across various contexts, including news, media, and wiki sources. When writing, remember that the best practice is to use this phrase when you want to emphasize the importance of listening fully before forming an opinion. Avoiding premature interruption is key to upholding the intention of the phrase. Alternatives like "listen to someone" can be used for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

listen to someone's perspective

Focuses on the act of listening to understand someone's viewpoint.

listen to and consider

Combines the act of listening with the deliberate act of considering.

give someone a hearing

Implies a formal or official opportunity to be heard.

lend someone an ear

Emphasizes the act of listening attentively and sympathetically.

consider someone's opinion

Highlights the act of thinking about and valuing someone's viewpoint.

give someone a chance to speak

Focuses on providing the opportunity for someone to express themselves.

entertain someone's point

Suggests a willingness to consider a point of view, even if skeptical.

allow someone to explain

Highlights the permission granted for someone to provide an explanation.

be open to someone's ideas

Stresses the importance of being receptive to new concepts and suggestions.

understand someone's rationale

Focuses on the effort to grasp the reasoning behind someone's actions or beliefs.

FAQs

How can I use "hear someone out" in a sentence?

You can use "hear someone out" to encourage listening to another person's perspective before making a judgment. For example, "Before we dismiss his idea, let's "hear him out"."

What does it mean to "hear someone out"?

To "hear someone out" means to listen to someone completely without interrupting them, allowing them to fully express their thoughts or opinions before you respond or make a judgment.

What can I say instead of "hear someone out"?

You can use alternatives such as "listen to someone", "give someone a hearing", or "lend someone an ear depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "hear someone out"?

It is appropriate to use "hear someone out" when you want to show that you are willing to listen to another person's perspective, especially when there is a potential for disagreement or misunderstanding.