initially heard about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "initially heard about" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the first time you became aware of a particular topic, event, or piece of information. Example: "I initially heard about the new policy during a staff meeting last month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Like many of the opportunities for new entrants in television that I find out about, I initially heard about step2tv through its Twitter account @step2inspiretv.

The Guardian

Here's the weird part: when we initially heard about the Scorpion, we were lead to believe that it'd tout support for WiMax — which, for those who don't obsess over gadgets and doodad's, is Sprint's fourth generation.

TechCrunch

"When I initially heard about this incident I was appalled," Rosenblum said in her letter, which was in response to an earlier letter from the Portland chapter of the national civil rights organization the Urban League.

Huffington Post

At this first screening, callers were asked how they initially heard about the study and if there was any other method by which they obtained information about the study.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

No matter what you initially hear about the technical details of how it all works, there is a certain degree of disbelief baked into seeing a volumetric display like this for the first time.

TechCrunch

Yet I have been thinking about her take on this subject since I initially heard mention of it in an interview for her book Lean In.

Huffington Post

He initially heard the news from his older daughter, Marsha.

The New York Times

Hastert's office initially claimed that he first heard about the scandal when former congressional pages leaked the emails to ABC News and The Washington Post, breaking the story wide open.

Huffington Post

I was still at work when I heard about this and initially dismissed it as a crazy event with no immediate concerns.

Huffington Post

When I initially conceived this idea, I had only heard about it in passing and thought, how hard could it be?

Vice

Similarly, when David O'Connor, then of the University of Sheffield, heard about an opening at the then five-year-old Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, he initially said he wasn't interested.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "initially heard about" to specify the starting point of your knowledge or understanding of a subject, especially when detailing a sequence of events or how your perception evolved over time.

Common error

Avoid using "initially heard about" when you mean to convey a complete understanding or acceptance of an idea. "Initially heard about" implies only the beginning of awareness, not necessarily comprehension. Be sure to use "understood", "comprehended" or "realized" to express the latter.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "initially heard about" functions as a verbal phrase that indicates the beginning of awareness or knowledge regarding a specific subject or event. Ludwig AI examples show it used to introduce how someone first came to know about something.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "initially heard about" is a grammatically correct verbal phrase used to indicate the beginning of one's awareness of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, including news, media, and scientific writing, maintaining a neutral tone. While semantically related phrases like "first learned about" or "originally found out about" can serve as alternatives, it's important to choose the most appropriate one based on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey. Remember that understanding and applying grammar rules is a continuous journey and refining the writing abilities will make communication more impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

first learned about

Focuses on the acquisition of knowledge or understanding, rather than just hearing.

initially became aware of

More formal and emphasizes the start of awareness.

first discovered

Implies a more active role in finding out the information.

originally found out about

Similar to 'heard about' but implies an element of searching or investigation.

was first informed about

Highlights the act of being told the information by someone.

initially knew of

Suggests a prior, but perhaps vague, awareness.

first encountered

Emphasizes the experience of coming across the information.

became acquainted with initially

More formal and suggests getting to know something gradually.

came to know about initially

Highlights the process of getting information.

originally got wind of

More informal and implies hearing a rumor or unofficial information.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "initially heard about" to sound more formal?

To make the phrase more formal, you can use alternatives such as "initially became aware of" or "was first informed about".

What's the difference between "first learned about" and "initially heard about"?

"Initially heard about" suggests a passive reception of information, while "first learned about" implies a more active engagement and understanding of the subject.

Is it correct to use "initially heard of" instead of "initially heard about"?

While both are grammatically correct, "initially heard about" is more commonly used when referring to a specific event, topic, or piece of information. "Initially heard of" is used when you acknowledge you know of something's existence but may not know details.

Can I use "originally found out about" as a substitute for "initially heard about"?

Yes, "originally found out about" can be a suitable substitute, particularly when you want to indicate a more active discovery of the information rather than just hearing it passively.