lovely to hear

USAGE SUMMARY

"lovely to hear" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you're expressing appreciation or pleasure at hearing something. For example: "It was lovely to hear you singing so beautifully."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

It was lovely to hear.

The Guardian

It's lovely to hear the names, though.

The New York Times - Books

"It's lovely to hear that," she says self-consciously.

Independent

"It's lovely to hear yourself quoted back to you.

Independent

Rather, the chancellor said, "Candidate — that's lovely to hear".

The New York Times

It was genuinely lovely to hear Perry fly.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

And the Kosciuszko Foundation's intimate music room is a lovely place to hear a song recital.

The New York Times

"In America, that is a lovely thing to hear, because my father was never known over here.

The Guardian - Film

Moored in the shadow of the Brooklyn Bridge, this intimate floating concert hall is a lovely place to hear chamber music while taking in great views of Lower Manhattan.

The New York Times

"It's lovely to now hear the work being done and it means so much to the people of this community".

BBC

Everyone travels with a smart phone or iPad these days and it was so lovely to not hear blaring CNN or be tempted to turn on the television, and instead wander out into the common rooms and read or start a conversation over a glass of wine with another guest.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "lovely to hear" with a specific detail from what you've heard to show you were actively listening and acknowledge the speaker's point. Example: "Lovely to hear about your promotion, you truly deserved it."

Common error

While "lovely to hear" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or professional settings. Consider using more neutral alternatives like "I am pleased to learn that" or "That is good to know" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "lovely to hear" is as an interjectory phrase expressing a positive reaction. It serves to acknowledge and affirm the information received, indicating the speaker's pleasure or satisfaction. Ludwig shows that this phrase is typically used in direct response to something that has been said.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lovely to hear" is a commonly used phrase to express pleasure and appreciation upon hearing something positive. According to Ludwig, this phrase is generally considered grammatically correct and suitable for a variety of contexts, particularly in news and media. While it may be slightly informal for highly formal settings, it effectively conveys warmth and sincerity. Alternatives like "great to hear" or "pleased to hear" can be used for a more neutral tone. Overall, "lovely to hear" is a versatile phrase that adds a touch of personal warmth to your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Great to hear

More direct and commonly used in informal settings.

Pleased to hear

Implies a sense of satisfaction or gratification.

Happy to hear

Emphasizes the joy or happiness derived from the information.

Delighted to hear

Expresses a higher degree of pleasure or joy.

Glad to hear

A simpler and more casual expression of happiness.

Wonderful to hear

Highlights the positive or pleasing nature of the information.

It's good news to hear

Focuses on the positive nature of the information itself.

That's encouraging to hear

Suggests the information is uplifting or inspires hope.

That's a relief to hear

Indicates the information alleviates concern or anxiety.

It warms my heart to hear

A more emotional expression of joy and appreciation.

FAQs

What does "lovely to hear" mean?

The phrase "lovely to hear" is used to express pleasure or appreciation upon receiving news or information. It conveys a sense of warmth and sincerity in response to something positive.

What can I say instead of "lovely to hear"?

You can use alternatives like "great to hear", "pleased to hear", or "happy to hear" depending on the context and level of formality you want to convey.

Is "lovely to hear" suitable for formal communication?

While generally acceptable, "lovely to hear" might be perceived as slightly informal for very formal or professional contexts. In such situations, consider using phrases like "I am pleased to learn that" or "That is good to know."

How do I use "lovely to hear" in a sentence?

You can use "lovely to hear" to directly respond to news or information someone has shared. For example, "I'm so glad you're feeling better. It's lovely to hear you're recovering well."