listen outside

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "listen outside" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when instructing someone to pay attention to sounds or noises coming from outside a particular location. Example: "If you want to hear the birds singing, you should listen outside for a few minutes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

It culminates in a spectacular row indoors, which Hogg brilliantly represents with a bravura extended shot, simply showing the mortified family group having to listen outside by the pool.

The Guardian - Film

But the appeal of this PC receiver may be stronger for existing subscribers who want to listen outside of their cars than it will be for new subscribers.

Forbes

We need to read and listen outside of our little circles.

Huffington Post

Until the justices decide to admit cameras to their courtroom (don't hold your breath), the public that is being denied the right to look into (or listen outside) the window of Thomas' thoughts is tiny.

Los Angeles Times

Bill Rosendahl speaks in April at a news conference on Proposition D, a medical marijuana measure that passed in May, as fellow supporters and fellow patients listen outside City Hall in downtown Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Times

One of my favourite things is "Listen outside the room".

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

During timeouts, he stands and listens outside the huddle.

The New York Times - Sports

Glass wondered if she had been listening outside the door.

The New York Times - Magazine

Crowds filled the rotunda of the school's historic Low Library, and the overflow rooms, and listened outside on loudspeaker.

The New Yorker

Almost forty thousand people were jammed into a stadium whose official capacity is under thirty-eight thousand five thousandd more listened outside.

The New Yorker

They tried to see the Doors in a gymnasium at the University of Michigan but only Pop got in while the others listened outside.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "listen outside" to direct attention to sounds emanating from a different room or area.

Common error

Avoid using "listen outside" when you simply mean to note the presence of sound; reserve it for situations where active listening and discernment are implied.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "listen outside" functions as an imperative, directing someone to pay attention to sounds originating from an external environment. As Ludwig AI notes, the phrase is grammatically correct and appears in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "listen outside" is a grammatically correct directive, as noted by Ludwig AI, instructing someone to pay attention to external sounds. Although "listen outside" itself is not very frequent, it's understandable and usable in various contexts, primarily in news and media. When advising or instructing someone to focus on external auditory cues, consider "listen to outside noises" or similar alternatives for clarity and impact. In summary, while grammatically sound, consider other alternatives for greater clarity and effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Hear external sounds

Focuses specifically on the action of hearing sounds that originate from an external environment.

Pay attention to sounds outdoors

Emphasizes attentiveness to sounds that are present in the outdoor environment.

Monitor ambient noise

Highlights the act of observing and keeping track of general environmental sounds.

Detect sounds from beyond

Implies identifying sounds originating from a remote or undefined location.

Be alert to exterior sounds

Suggests a state of readiness to notice sounds present in the outside environment.

Note the surrounding sounds

Focuses on the process of acknowledging and registering the sounds that are nearby.

Listen to what's happening externally

Broader in scope, referring to paying attention to any kind of occurrence or event happening in the world outside.

Auscultate the environment

More formal and technical, suggesting careful and methodical listening to the surrounding area.

Perceive external audio

Focuses on the sensory experience of receiving auditory information from the world outside.

Hear what's around you

Simple direction to be aware of sounds in your immediate vicinity, not necessarily outdoors.

FAQs

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

You can use "listen outside" to instruct someone to pay attention to sounds coming from the exterior of a building or room, for example: "If you want to know if it's raining, "listen outside" for a few minutes".

What does "listen outside" mean?

"Listen outside" means to pay attention to the sounds or noises originating from the external environment, usually implying an effort to discern something specific.

What are some alternatives to "listen outside"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "hear external sounds", "monitor ambient noise", or "detect sounds from beyond".

Is it correct to say "listen outside"?

Yes, "listen outside" is a grammatically correct phrase, though it's more common to hear similar phrases like "listen to outside noises" or "hear what's happening outside".