listen acutely

USAGE SUMMARY

"listen acutely" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to listen attentively or with great focus. Example: During the lecture, the students listened acutely to the speaker's words, eager to absorb every bit of information.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

And it encouraged the audience to listen acutely, an aspect of dancegoing that, though fundamental with Balanchine choreography, is too often overlooked.

The New York Times - Arts

This means that we learn to read and to listen acutely, and to be sure that we understand precisely what is being said in another language.

The New York Times

You have to have negotiations, but keep the tone civil, listen acutely to what the other side is saying.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

What mattered was the music, to which Mr. Grulke listened acutely in his frequent round-the-globe travels in search of lesser-known artists.

The New York Times - Arts

There was no trace of imperiousness in his playing, rather the most discreet balancing of sounds, with Kolesnikov listening acutely to the orchestra so as to blend and respond.

The Guardian - Music

Lange forces us to listen more acutely to what Mary is saying, to register how her body language contradicts her brazen imagination.

The New Yorker

Writers with a good ear (Salinger, John O'Hara) certainly listen more acutely than the rest of us, but what they really have is a better filter for telling signal from noise, and then turning it into song.

The New Yorker

They seemed to be listening as acutely as animals in the woods.

The New Yorker

In isolated settlements, in smoky, fire-lit homes, New Englanders lived very much in the dark, where one listens more acutely, feels most passionately, and imagines most vividly, where the sacred and the occult thrive.

The New Yorker

To limit the potential of this occurring the facilitator will be trained to acutely listen to the yarn, respect/embrace conversational protocols and gently refocus the discussion back to the research question.

BMC Health Services Research

The world is worried about inequality, and companies such as Apple need to pay heed to that just as acutely as they listen to their customers.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "listen acutely" when you want to emphasize not just hearing, but also deeply understanding and processing what is being said.

Common error

Avoid using multiple adverbs to intensify "listen". Phrases like "listen very acutely" can sound redundant and weaken the impact. Choose "listen acutely" on its own for a stronger effect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "listen acutely" functions as a verb-adverb construction, modifying the action of listening. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and indicates a deliberate and focused way of hearing.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "listen acutely" is a grammatically sound phrase used to convey attentive and focused listening. Though relatively rare, its presence in respected news sources and scientific publications like those found by Ludwig, alongside the confirmation of grammatical correctness provided by Ludwig AI, suggests its appropriateness in formal writing. When aiming to highlight the depth of understanding and attentiveness while listening, consider using "listen acutely". However, remember to avoid redundant intensifiers and tailor your language to the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

listen attentively

This alternative emphasizes focused attention during listening.

listen carefully

This alternative highlights the importance of being thorough in hearing and understanding.

listen intently

This alternative suggests a high degree of focus and purpose in listening.

pay close attention

This alternative shifts the focus to the act of giving attention, rather than the manner of listening.

concentrate on hearing

This alternative highlights the effort made to focus solely on the auditory input.

give your undivided attention

This alternative stresses the complete focus given to the speaker.

absorb every detail

This alternative focuses on the comprehensive understanding gained through careful listening.

lend an ear

This alternative is more idiomatic and implies a willingness to listen.

be all ears

This alternative emphasizes eagerness and enthusiasm to listen.

hang on every word

This alternative indicates a fascination with and absorption in what is being said.

FAQs

How can I use "listen acutely" in a sentence?

You can use "listen acutely" to describe paying close attention to someone or something. For example: "You have to have negotiations, but keep the tone civil, "listen acutely" to what the other side is saying."

What does "listen acutely" mean?

"Listen acutely" means to listen with a high degree of attentiveness and focus, carefully processing the information being conveyed. It goes beyond simply hearing to truly understanding.

What can I say instead of "listen acutely"?

Alternatives to "listen acutely" include "listen attentively", "listen carefully", or "pay close attention". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "listen acutely" or "listen carefully"?

Both "listen acutely" and "listen carefully" are correct. "Listen acutely" emphasizes a deeper level of understanding and processing, while "listen carefully" simply highlights the importance of being thorough in hearing and understanding.