listens carefully

USAGE SUMMARY

"listens carefully" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is paying close attention to what another person is saying. For example, "Sally listens carefully to her teacher's instructions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Emily listens carefully from the other room.

The New York Times - Magazine

He listens carefully to the question/statement.

The New Yorker

He listens carefully to pollsters, rather than risk getting ahead of public opinion.

The Economist

Throughout, Mr. Bourne listens carefully to Tchaikovsky's music (not, alas, played live).

The New York Times - Arts

Though Mrs. Lapidus does not understand a word, she listens carefully, hears that name again.

The New Yorker

When challenged, he listens carefully and considerately, and occasionally tempers his ire.

The New Yorker

Apart from auditing a sample, the EPA listens carefully to consumers' complaints.

The Economist

Juan listens carefully to every sound, ready to thumb a lift whenever a car passes by.

The Guardian

By all accounts she listens carefully but does not hesitate to overrule her colleagues.

The New York Times

Humphrey listens carefully and then calls out their order to the kitchen: "Fish, fish, fish, fish, fish, fish".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The young girl listens carefully and seems interested.

Unicef

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "listens carefully" to emphasize attentiveness and consideration in various contexts, from professional settings to personal interactions. It effectively conveys the importance of understanding and heeding information.

Common error

While "listens carefully" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in very formal writing. Consider stronger alternatives like "attends closely" or "gives due consideration" to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

Listens carefully functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of paying close attention to someone or something. It often describes a deliberate act of attentiveness to understand or respond appropriately, as seen in the examples from Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "listens carefully" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe someone who pays close attention. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and widespread usage across diverse contexts like News & Media, Science, and Business. While versatile, it's crucial to use it judiciously, especially in formal writing, where alternatives such as "attends closely" may be more appropriate. Consider related phrases like "pays close attention" or "is all ears" to add nuance or variety to your writing. The phrase's neutral register makes it suitable for various communication scenarios, emphasizing the importance of attentive and thoughtful processing of information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pays close attention

This alternative replaces the verb "listens" with a more general term, focusing on the act of giving attention.

is all ears

This is an idiomatic expression that conveys eagerness and attentiveness to listen.

lends an ear

This alternative suggests offering attention and empathy while listening.

heeds attentively

Uses a more formal verb, 'heed', to indicate paying close attention and following advice or instruction.

takes to heart

This phrase emphasizes the emotional and intellectual processing of what is heard.

gives careful consideration

Shifts the focus from listening to the subsequent act of thoughtful deliberation.

notes attentively

Focuses on the act of making mental or written notes while listening.

absorbs attentively

Highlights the process of fully taking in and understanding the information.

observes meticulously

This focuses more on observation than listening, but implies careful attention to detail.

engages intently

Indicates active participation and deep involvement in the act of listening.

FAQs

How can I use "listens carefully" in a sentence?

You can use "listens carefully" to describe someone who is paying close attention and showing consideration. For instance, "The manager "listens carefully" to employee concerns before making decisions."

What are some alternatives to "listens carefully"?

Alternatives include phrases like "pays close attention", "is all ears", or "lends an ear", each with slight nuances in meaning.

Is it redundant to say "listens carefully"?

While "listens" inherently implies attention, adding "carefully" emphasizes the level of attentiveness and consideration. It's not strictly redundant but adds a degree of emphasis.

When should I use "listens carefully" instead of "hears"?

"Hears" simply implies perceiving sound. "Listens carefully" implies paying close attention, understanding, and considering what's being said. Use "listens carefully" when the act of attentive listening is important.