listen clearly

USAGE SUMMARY

"listen clearly" is correct and usable in written English.
For example, you could write, "Please listen clearly; I'm about to explain something very important."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"Premier Zhou told me just to stand right behind him and listen clearly".

The New York Times

In gym classes, students would exercise while chanting, "Bush, Bush, listen clearly: We all love Saddam".

The New York Times

He promised to listen clearly in order "to broaden understanding between North and South Korea".

The New York Times

Make sure to listen clearly and openly to what they have to say.

WikiHow

Talk loud but not blasting, listen clearly and don't forget to smile while this is going on.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

As for us, we can help most by watching Wadjda, then the next film, and listening clearly to what the Arab world has to say.

The Guardian - Film

I will look closer, be more patient, and listen more clearly.

The New York Times

It was very interesting to me to listen to clearly religiously conservative people (women in niqabs, men with prayer calluses) in Tahrir square talking first and foremost about representative government, not about caliphates and sharia.

The New Yorker

Listen out clearly for the simple notes just to start with.

WikiHow

A habituation dishabituation playback experiment suggested that bats perceived these signatures because listening bats clearly discriminated between the sexes (two classes) and between individuals (representatives of a multiclass category), although to different degrees.

Animal Behaviour

"We're really making sure that we're listening very clearly to everything and that every arrangement and part is just as we want it to be," she said of the album, which features collaborators like Mark Ronson, Florence Welch and Hillary Lindsey (who penned "Jesus Take The Wheel").

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When giving instructions, use "listen clearly" to emphasize the importance of accurate understanding, especially in noisy environments or when communicating complex information.

Common error

Avoid using "listen clearly" when you mean "hear clearly". "Listen" implies an active effort to understand, while "hear" refers to the physical ability to perceive sound. For example, say "I can't hear clearly" if there's too much background noise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "listen clearly" functions primarily as an imperative, often used to direct someone to pay close attention and understand a message accurately. Ludwig provides examples of its use in instructions or important announcements.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

40%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "listen clearly" serves as an imperative call for focused attention and accurate understanding. While grammatically sound, its usage is relatively uncommon. As highlighted by Ludwig, it is found in various contexts such as news, wikis, and scientific texts. The phrase emphasizes the importance of comprehending information accurately. For similar expressions, consider alternatives such as "listen attentively" or "pay close attention", depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

listen carefully

Stresses the need for caution and attention to detail.

listen attentively

Focuses on giving full attention while listening.

pay close attention

Highlights the importance of focus and observation.

hear audibly

Emphasizes the ability to clearly perceive the sound.

follow closely

Implies understanding and adhering to instructions.

understand fully

Shifts the focus from listening to comprehending the message.

comprehend precisely

Emphasizes the clarity of understanding.

heed well

Implies taking advice or instructions seriously.

take note

Highlights the importance of remembering the information.

mind attentively

Emphasizes diligence.

FAQs

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

You can use "listen clearly" to emphasize the importance of paying attention and understanding instructions, for instance: "Please "listen clearly" to the safety briefing before operating the machinery".

What does it mean to "listen clearly"?

To "listen clearly" means to pay close attention and focus on understanding the information being conveyed. It's about actively engaging with the speaker to grasp the message accurately.

What are some alternatives to "listen clearly"?

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

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

"Listen carefully" emphasizes caution and attention to detail, while "listen clearly" focuses on understanding the message without ambiguity. Both are correct, but choose based on your intended emphasis. So you can use "listen carefully" when emphasizing attention to detail, and "listen clearly" when emphasizing the need to understand without confusion.