listen closely

USAGE SUMMARY

"listen closely" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to stress the importance of paying attention to something that is being said or written. Example: "Listen closely to what I'm about to tell you - it could change your life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Job recruiters — listen closely.

The New York Times

But listen closely.

The New York Times

He makes you listen closely.

The New York Times - Arts

Listen closely, and it's gobbledygook.

The New York Times

Now is the time to listen closely.

The New York Times - Arts

Now's the time to listen closely.

The New York Times - Arts

I listen closely to her laughter.

The New Yorker

Listen closely and you'll hear the bells.

The New Yorker

Listen closely to those implementing pilot schemes.

The Guardian - Opinion

Listen closely: None of this was true.

The New York Times

Listen closely and you'll hear this old unsettling story.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone, "listen closely" adds a sense of urgency or importance to the instructions being given.

Common error

Avoid using "listen closely" when a casual level of attention is sufficient. Overusing it can diminish its impact and make your instructions sound overly demanding when they don't need to be.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "listen closely" functions primarily as an imperative, urging the listener to pay careful and focused attention. Ludwig shows that it's used to highlight the importance of the message being conveyed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "listen closely" is an imperative phrase used to strongly encourage attentive listening, particularly when the information being conveyed is important or nuanced. Ludwig's analysis indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, from news media to instructional guides. While primarily neutral in register, its usage can lean toward formal depending on the situation. Remember to reserve this phrase for instances where careful attention is genuinely required to avoid diluting its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pay close attention

Emphasizes the act of focusing one's attention but uses different wording.

give your undivided attention

Emphasizes the importance of not being distracted while listening.

consider this carefully

Highlights the importance of thoughtful reflection on a particular point.

focus your attention

Directs someone to concentrate on what is being communicated.

heed carefully

Implies careful consideration and obedience to what is being said.

take note

Suggests making a mental or written record of important information.

mark my words

Used to emphasize the importance and future accuracy of a statement.

mind you

Used to draw attention to a particular point, often as a reminder.

be all ears

Indicates a willingness and eagerness to listen.

lend an ear

Offers to listen attentively to someone's concerns.

FAQs

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

You can use "listen closely" to emphasize the importance of what you're about to say. For instance, "Listen closely, this is very important."

What is a good alternative to "listen closely"?

Alternatives include "pay close attention", "heed carefully", or "take note", depending on the context.

What does it mean to "listen closely"?

To "listen closely" means to pay careful attention to what someone is saying, often because the information is important or complex.

Is it ever inappropriate to use "listen closely"?

Using "listen closely" might be inappropriate in casual settings where a more relaxed form of attention is expected. It's best used when precise understanding is crucial.