listened out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "listened out" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It is not commonly used, and its meaning is unclear without context. Example: "I listened out for any unusual sounds during the night."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

He listened out for neglected voices and, through canny negotiation, maintained the precarious independence of his press.

The Guardian - Books

The neighbor, in turn, would occasionally go out to dinner with her husband, leaving the apartment and depositing her monitor with Ms. O'Toole, who listened out for the child.

The New York Times

My children are six and nearly nine, and for months I have listened out for protests from the older one when I've corralled them to bed for the nightly story.

The Guardian - Books

With Glenton's words ringing in my ears, I listened out for anyone in Parliament suggesting we attack America for its use of chemical weapons.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 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

Call it listening out loud.

The New York Times - Arts

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

Listening out for danger, at least in Scandinavia, pays dividends.

The Economist

Listen out for neat hooks and some obvious Americana influences.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "listened out", ensure the context clearly indicates you were specifically anticipating a particular sound or piece of information. If you just mean you were generally paying attention, consider a more common phrase like "listened carefully".

Common error

Avoid using "listened out" when you simply mean someone was generally attentive. This phrase implies actively waiting for a specific sound or signal, not just general awareness.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "listened out" functions as a predicate in a sentence, describing an action of actively paying attention to sounds, usually with the expectation of hearing something specific. As shown by Ludwig, this usage, even if acceptable, may benefit from paraphrasing with a better option.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "listened out" is considered acceptable, though rare, and functions to describe the action of paying attention to specific sounds while expecting to hear something. Ludwig AI indicates that its usage is primarily in News & Media contexts. While grammatically sound, it's crucial to use it when actively anticipating a sound. If you intend to convey only general attentiveness, consider alternatives such as ""listened carefully"" or ""paid attention to"". Overall, while usable, careful consideration is needed to ensure clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

listened for

More direct and common way to express the act of trying to hear something specific.

kept an ear out for

Similar meaning but more idiomatic, implying anticipation of a specific sound or piece of information.

listened carefully

Emphasizes the level of attention given while listening, rather than the act of specifically waiting or searching for a sound.

paid attention to

Focuses on the act of giving consideration to something, broadening the scope beyond just auditory input.

tuned in to

Implies a deliberate effort to focus on specific information or signals, often in a broadcast or communication context.

was attentive to

Highlights the state of being alert and responsive, suitable for both auditory and non-auditory contexts.

monitored

Suggests continuous observation, often for specific indicators or changes.

overheard

Implies listening without the intention of doing so. Useful if someone listened to something by chance.

eavesdropped

Listening secretly to a private conversation. Conveys a clandestine element not present in the original phrase.

detected

Focuses on discovering the presence of something, often implying a faint or subtle signal.

FAQs

What does "listened out" mean?

"Listened out" means to specifically pay attention in order to hear a particular sound or piece of information you are expecting or waiting for. It's similar to "listened for" but emphasizes anticipation.

Is "listened out" grammatically correct?

While not as common as other alternatives, "listened out" is grammatically acceptable in English. However, be aware that it might sound slightly unusual to some native speakers.

What are some alternatives to "listened out"?

Some alternatives to "listened out" include "listened carefully", "paid attention to", "kept an ear out for", or "listened for". The best choice depends on the specific context.

How do I use "listened out" in a sentence?

You can use "listened out" in a sentence like this: "I listened out for any unusual sounds during the night." This implies you were specifically waiting and paying attention to hear any unexpected noises.