listen out

USAGE SUMMARY

"listen out" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an informal way of saying "listen carefully" or "pay attention," and can be used in any informal written context, such as a casual message or conversation. For example: "Listen out for any news about the job opening. I'm sure someone will hear something soon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Listeners were requested to attend to the sounds and to listen out for the pitch, but were not required to perform any task.

Cerebral Cortex

Older women listen out of concern.

The New York Times

We shall listen out for the applause.

The Guardian - Film

Listen out for them on a cool dancefloor near you.

Independent

Listen out for neat hooks and some obvious Americana influences.

Independent

Listen out for whistling marmots on your way.

The Guardian - Travel

Look and listen out for Roe deer and smaller muntjacs.

The Guardian - Travel

Listen out for two important contrasts in pronunciation.

The Guardian - Travel

Crathes is a good place to listen out for jays screeching their way through the woods.

Independent

It tempts you to listen out for a particular chord (A minor).

The Economist

"So you would listen out of respect, even though you didn't really take him that seriously".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "listen out" in informal contexts where you want to emphasize the act of actively anticipating a sound or piece of information. For example, "Listen out for my call when you get home."

Common error

Avoid using "listen out" in formal reports or academic papers. Opt for more formal alternatives like "be attentive" or "pay close attention" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "listen out" is as an intransitive phrasal verb. It combines the verb "listen" with the particle "out" to create a specific meaning of actively paying attention in order to hear something expected or anticipated. Ludwig confirms that this is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "listen out" is an informal phrasal verb that means to pay attention and be alert for a specific sound or piece of information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently used, especially in News & Media. While "listen out" is suitable for informal contexts, it's best to use more formal alternatives like "pay attention" or "be attentive" in academic or professional writing. Remember to actively anticipate sounds and pieces of information, rather than passively receiving them. Keep in mind that other alternatives to "listen out" include "be alert for", "keep an ear open", and "pay attention".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keep an ear open

Suggests passively listening for something that might occur.

pay attention

Emphasizes focusing one's mental effort on what is being heard.

be attentive

Emphasizes a state of being fully engaged and responsive to auditory information.

be on the lookout

Highlights the act of actively searching and watching for something specific.

stay tuned

Indicates that one should continue to listen for further information or updates.

be alert for

Focuses on being generally watchful and prepared for something.

be watchful

Focuses on observing with attention for a particular purpose.

be aware

Highlights the importance of recognizing or noticing something through listening.

mind

Implies a gentle request to pay attention.

take heed

Suggests listening carefully to advice or warnings.

FAQs

What does "listen out" mean?

"Listen out" means to pay attention and be alert for a specific sound or piece of information. It suggests actively waiting and anticipating something you expect to hear.

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

You can use "listen out" in a sentence like this: "When you're at the station, "keep an ear open" for the announcement about the delayed train".

What are some alternatives to "listen out"?

Alternatives to "listen out" include "pay attention", "be alert for", or "keep an ear open", depending on the specific context.

Is "listen out" appropriate for formal writing?

No, "listen out" is generally considered informal. For formal writing, use more precise and formal alternatives like "be attentive" or "pay close attention".