heard back from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "heard back from" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a response or reply received from someone after asking them for something or sending them a message. Example: "I sent in my job application last week and finally heard back from them today. They offered me the position!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But she never heard back from him.

The New York Times

Then she heard back from the Open.

The New York Times - Sports

Fernando never heard back from Mama Mia.

The New Yorker

Then they heard back from HSBC: denied.

The New York Times

We never heard back from him.

Yale University

We haven't heard back from WhatsGood yet.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

I never heard back from him.

The New York Times

But he never heard back from Brasier.

The Washington Post

He never heard back from them.

The Washington Post

He never heard back from Washington.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

I didn't hear back from Joint Stock.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the context makes it clear who the communication was from. For example, "I heard back from the recruiter" is more specific than "I heard back."

Common error

Avoid using incorrect tenses. For example, "I hear back from them yesterday" is incorrect. The correct usage would be "I heard back from them yesterday."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "heard back from" functions as a phrasal verb indicating the receipt of a response after an initial communication. It suggests a waiting period between the initial contact and the reply. Ludwig shows numerous examples where this phrase is used to describe receiving news or information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "heard back from" is a common and correct way to indicate that a response has been received following an initial communication. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used in various contexts. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication, primarily in News & Media. When using this phrase, ensure the tense is correct and the context clearly identifies the source of the response. Alternatives like "received a response from" or "got a reply from" can be used to vary your language. By following these guidelines, you can effectively and accurately convey that you have received a reply.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

received a response from

Emphasizes the act of getting a reply, slightly more formal.

got a reply from

A more casual and direct way of saying you received a response.

was contacted by

Highlights the initiation of communication by the other party.

received communication from

Formal and emphasizes the exchange of information.

was informed by

Suggests receiving specific information or updates.

got word from

An informal way of saying that news or information was received.

received feedback from

Specifically indicates receiving evaluative comments or opinions.

was reached out to by

Focuses on the effort made by the other party to initiate contact.

the response came from

Highlights the origin or source of the reply.

I got an answer from

Similar to 'got a reply from' but emphasizes that a question was asked.

FAQs

How to use "heard back from" in a sentence?

You can use "heard back from" to indicate that you received a response after a period of waiting, such as, "I applied for the job last week and just "heard back from" the hiring manager today".

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

Alternatives include "received a response from", "got a reply from", or "was contacted by", depending on the level of formality you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "I hear back from" instead of "I heard back from"?

The phrase "I hear back from" uses the present tense, so it's best used when referring to a habitual action or future expectation. "I "hear back from" them every week" implies a recurring event. For a past event, "I "heard back from" them yesterday" is correct.

What's the difference between "heard back from" and "replied to"?

"Heard back from" emphasizes receiving a response, while "replied to" emphasizes the action of responding. You "hear back from" someone who responded to you, but you "replied to" someone you contacted.