listen to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "listen to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of hearing or paying attention to sounds, music, or spoken words. Example: "I love to listen to classical music while I work."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Listen to "Heart Attack".

The New Yorker

Just listen to me".

The New Yorker

"To listen to music.

The New Yorker

"No! Listen to me.

The New Yorker

" 'Listen to the actors.

The New Yorker

Listen to their fears.

The New York Times

Don't listen to it.

The New York Times - Sports

I listen to opera".

The New York Times - Arts

People listen to them.

International Journal of Corporate Social Responsibility

Listen to the discussion.

Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education

Just listen to Buffett.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When giving instructions or advice, use "listen to" to encourage someone to carefully consider what you're saying.

Common error

Avoid using "listen to" when the context requires a stronger emphasis on action or obedience. Alternatives like "obey" or "follow" might be more appropriate in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "listen to" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating the action of paying attention to a sound or speech. Ludwig examples confirm its use in directives and descriptions, emphasizing active engagement with auditory input.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

33%

News & Media

22%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "listen to" is a very common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the act of paying attention to sounds or speech. Ludwig's analysis indicates that it's most frequently found in Wiki, News & Media, and Scientific contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider the nuance it conveys—active engagement with auditory information—and choose more precise alternatives like "pay attention to" or "heed" when appropriate. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, using "listen to" effectively involves understanding its implications and selecting it when attentive reception is intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pay attention to

Emphasizes focusing one's awareness on something.

give ear to

A more formal or literary way to say "listen to".

take note of

Highlights the importance of remembering or considering something heard.

be attentive to

Focuses on being fully present and engaged while listening.

heed

Implies acting upon what is heard, often a warning or advice.

take heed of

Similar to 'heed', but emphasizes careful consideration.

lend an ear to

Suggests offering a listening ear, often in a supportive way.

consider

Focuses on thinking carefully about what has been said.

follow

Implies understanding and adhering to instructions or advice.

understand

Highlights the comprehension aspect of listening.

FAQs

How to use "listen to" in a sentence?

You can use "listen to" when referring to the act of hearing or paying attention to sounds, music, or spoken words. For example, "I love to listen to classical music while I work."

What can I say instead of "listen to"?

You can use alternatives like "pay attention to", "give ear to", or "heed" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "listen to" or "hear"?

"Listen to" implies a conscious effort to pay attention, while "hear" simply means perceiving sound. You "listen to" music, but you might just "hear" background noise.

What's the difference between "listen to" and "listen for"?

"Listen to" implies focusing on something already present, while "listen for" means trying to detect a specific sound. For example, you "listen to" a lecture, but you might "listen for" the doorbell.