is heard

USAGE SUMMARY

'is heard' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about something being perceived through the sense of hearing. For example, "The sound of the cicadas is heard in the garden."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

My voice is heard.

The New York Times

Sycophantic laughter is heard.

The New Yorker

Nothing is heard.

The New Yorker

A foghorn is heard.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Laughter is heard.

The New York Times

Goro is heard laughing outside.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A rumble is heard.

The New York Times

The violin is heard only offstage.

The New York Times

It is heard of all the time.

The New York Times

Instead, his recorded voice is heard.

The New York Times

(Traffic noise is heard in the background).

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is heard" to describe the general audibility of a sound or statement, especially when the source is less important than the fact that the sound is being perceived. For example, "In the distance, a faint melody is heard".

Common error

Avoid using "is heard" when the focus should be on the action of hearing. For instance, instead of saying "He is heard the news", say "He heard the news" or "He has heard the news".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is heard" functions as a passive construction, indicating that something is being perceived by someone or something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this construction is grammatically sound and frequently used. The examples provided by Ludwig show how this phrase is used to indicate the audibility of sounds or statements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

18%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is heard" is a grammatically correct and versatile passive construction used to describe the perception of sound. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news media, science, and encyclopedias. While it's crucial to avoid misusing it in place of active voice constructions, understanding its function allows for effective communication about auditory experiences. The examples provided by Ludwig illustrate the phrase's use in conveying information about sounds being perceived, emphasizing audibility rather than the source of the sound.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be heard

Replaces the simple present passive with a modal verb construction, emphasizing possibility.

is audible

Uses an adjective to describe the state of being able to be heard.

is detected

Implies a more technical or scientific observation.

is perceived

Broadens the scope to any form of sensory input, not just auditory.

is registered

Implies the sound is being officially or formally recorded or acknowledged.

can be discerned

Suggests that the sound may be difficult to notice, requiring effort to perceive.

is noticed

Focuses on the act of someone becoming aware of the sound.

becomes apparent

Shifts focus from sound to general awareness or realization.

reaches one's ears

A more figurative way of saying that someone hears something.

is listened to

Focuses on the action of paying attention to the sound.

FAQs

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

"Is heard" is used to describe something that is being perceived audibly. For example, "The announcement "is heard" throughout the station" or "His voice "is heard" above the crowd".

What's a good alternative to "is heard"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "can be heard", "is audible", or "is detected".

Is "is heard" grammatically correct?

Yes, "is heard" is grammatically correct. It is the passive form of the verb "to hear" in the present tense, indicating that something is being heard by someone or something.

What is the difference between "is heard" and "heard"?

"Is heard" is a passive construction indicating that something is being heard, whereas "heard" is the past tense of the verb "to hear", indicating that someone actively heard something in the past. For example, "The music "is heard" by everyone in the room" (passive) vs. "I "heard" the music" (active).