hears back

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hears back" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate receiving a response or reply from someone after making an inquiry or request. Example: "I sent my application last week and I'm still waiting to hear back from the hiring manager."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

He hears back a chorus of "no's".

The New York Times

She sends out dozens of résumés a week and rarely hears back.

The New York Times

That decision has apparently been put on hold until the White House hears back from Mr. Arafat and Mr. Barak.

The New York Times

Even a new Barbie has the ability to spy on you – it listens to Barbie owners to respond but also sends what it hears back to the mothership at Mattel.

The Guardian - Opinion

She frequently asks parents to repeat back to her what they've heard her say in her medical analysis; what she hears back often reveals a level of denial she feels obliged to penetrate, even knowing what it may mean for the child.

The New York Times

He has been to an interview with a recruitment firm and will decide what to do once he hears back from them.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Never heard back.

The New York Times - Arts

She never heard back.

The New York Times

Have you heard back?

The New Yorker

(I never heard back).

The New York Times

He never heard back.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hears back" when you want to emphasize the expectation of a response following an initial communication, such as after sending an application or making an inquiry. It subtly conveys a sense of anticipation and the passage of time.

Common error

Avoid using "hears back" when reporting past events in indirect speech if the original context implied a future expectation. Instead, use "heard back" to maintain consistent past tense: Instead of saying "He hoped that she hears back soon", say "He hoped that she would hear back soon."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "hears back" is as a phrasal verb. It describes the action of receiving a response or communication after an initial contact. Ludwig confirms the common usage in contexts where a reply is anticipated.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "hears back" is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe receiving a response after an initial communication. Ludwig's AI confirms its correct usage. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts and maintains a neutral tone. While "hears back" is useful in many situations, consider alternatives like "receives a response" or "gets a reply" for varying degrees of formality. Be mindful of tense consistency in reported speech. Although not very common, "hears back" is a handy phrase to keep in your vocabulary!

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

receives a response

Formal alternative emphasizing the act of getting an answer.

gets a reply

Similar in meaning, but slightly more informal than "receives a response".

receives feedback

Specifically indicates getting comments or evaluation.

gets an answer

Focuses on obtaining a solution or clarification.

is contacted

Highlights the act of being reached out to.

is notified

Implies a formal announcement or update.

is informed

Suggests the reception of specific information.

finds out

Indicates learning something, often after a period of uncertainty.

learns the outcome

Emphasizes discovering the result of a process or decision.

gets wind of

Informal, suggesting hearing about something indirectly or unofficially.

FAQs

How do I use "hears back" in a sentence?

Use "hears back" to indicate that someone is waiting for a response after they have contacted someone. For example, "I submitted my application last week and I am waiting to hear back from the hiring manager."

What can I say instead of "hears back"?

You can use alternatives like "receives a response", "gets a reply", or "is contacted" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "hears back" or should I use "hear back"?

"Hears back" is the correct form when the subject is a singular third person (he, she, it). "Hear back" is used with other subjects (I, you, we, they).

What is the difference between "hears back" and "responds"?

"Hears back" implies receiving a communication in return to a previous message or inquiry. "Responds" simply means providing an answer or reaction, without necessarily implying a prior communication.