heard from

USAGE SUMMARY

"heard from" is correct and can be used in written English.
It should be used when referring to something that was said by another person, usually out loud. For example: I have heard from my professor that class is cancelled tomorrow.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Never heard from them.

The New York Times - Sports

I haven't heard from Martha.

The New York Times - Magazine

We haven't heard from him.

The Guardian

"I've only heard from one.

The Guardian

"I heard from Lamrock's guy.

The New Yorker

Was never heard from again.

The New Yorker

"I've not heard from Real.

Independent

We haven't heard from Cuomo".

The New York Times

"I never heard from them".

The New York Times

They heard from bioethicists.

The Washington Post

He has not been heard from again.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "heard from" to indicate receiving communication from someone, whether it's a phone call, email, or letter. For example, "I haven't "heard from" her in weeks".

Common error

Avoid using "hear of" when you mean "hear from". "Hear of" means you are aware of someone's existence or something's reputation, while "heard from" means you received a direct communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "heard from" functions as a verb phrase indicating the reception of communication. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous examples where it signifies receiving news or messages from someone.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Wiki

7%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "heard from" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate receiving communication from someone. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use, particularly in News & Media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you're referring to a direct communication, and not simply being aware of someone's existence (which would be "heard of"). Consider alternatives like "received communication from" or "was contacted by" for nuanced emphasis. Remember that "heard from" is versatile enough for both formal and informal settings, making it a valuable addition to your communication toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

received communication from

Focuses on the act of receiving a message, emphasizing the reception rather than the sender.

was contacted by

Highlights the initiation of contact by someone else.

got in touch with

Emphasizes the establishment of a connection or communication.

was informed by

Highlights the receipt of specific information from someone.

had news from

Suggests the arrival of news or updates from a particular source.

had word from

Similar to "had news from", but can imply a more informal or indirect communication.

was notified by

Focuses on the formal process of being informed, often used in official contexts.

corresponded with

Implies a series of communications, often in writing.

exchanged messages with

Highlights the two-way nature of communication.

fielded communication from

Suggests dealing with or managing communication from a source.

FAQs

How can I use "heard from" in a sentence?

Use "heard from" to describe receiving communication from someone. Example: "I "heard from" my sister yesterday".

What does it mean when someone says they haven't "heard from" someone?

It means they have not received any communication (e.g., a call, email, or message) from that person recently.

What can I say instead of "heard from"?

You can use alternatives like "received communication from", "was contacted by", or "got in touch with" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I haven't heard of him" when I mean "I haven't "heard from" him"?

No, these have different meanings. "I haven't heard of him" means you are not familiar with the person. "I haven't "heard from" him" means you haven't received any communication from him.