until you hear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "until you hear" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate a condition or a time frame that lasts until someone receives information or a message. Example: "Please wait until you hear back from the committee regarding your application."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I learned you don't stop until you hear the whistle.

The Guardian - Sport

Until you hear from me.

The New Yorker

Press until you hear a squealing noise.

The New Yorker

Add mustard seeds and cook until you hear popping.

The New York Times

"Just keep playing until you hear 'Mary, Pauladvisedised.

The New York Times

It's not until you hear the title 'My White Friends' that the conversation begins".

The New York Times

"You have to wait until you hear from the department if a building is available.

The New York Times

It told students to stay away "until you hear differently, which could be Monday".

BBC

Keep going until you hear a yes.

Huffington Post

But wait until you hear about the unit cost increase.

Huffington Post

Listen attentively until you hear the music of your soul.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing instructions, use "until you hear" to clearly indicate the point at which an action should be stopped or changed. For instance, "Stir the mixture until you hear it start to sizzle."

Common error

Avoid using "until you hear" when describing other sensory experiences like sight or touch. For example, instead of "wait until you hear the light turns green", use "wait until you see the light turn green."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "until you hear" functions as a subordinating conjunction, introducing a dependent clause that specifies a condition or time frame. This type of phrase indicates that an action or state is contingent upon receiving auditory information. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

42%

News & Media

31%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "until you hear" is a versatile conjunction used to specify a condition or time frame based on an auditory cue. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s grammatically correct and widely applicable, especially when providing instructions or setting expectations. It’s essential to use this phrase accurately, ensuring it aligns with the intended sensory context and avoiding confusion with other senses like sight or touch. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, it appears frequently across wikis and news media. When providing instructions, using alternatives such as "continue until you detect" can add clarity. The abundance of examples highlights its common usage across various sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not before hearing

A more formal and slightly negative construction, highlighting prohibition before an auditory event.

only after a sound is perceived

Stresses the importance of perception in hearing something, suggesting a conscious awareness.

wait for an audible signal

Focuses specifically on waiting for a signal that can be heard, implying a more passive approach.

continue until a sound is made

Implies an action should proceed until a sound occurs, focusing on the creation of the sound.

before a sound is detected

Emphasizes detection, suggesting a more technical or sensitive context.

hold on until a noise occurs

Focuses on maintaining a state until a noise happens, emphasizing patience.

up to the point of hearing

Highlights the endpoint or limit being the act of hearing something.

till you get word

Replaces "hear" with "get word", broadening the type of communication received.

await auditory notification

More formal and passive, suggesting waiting for an official announcement through hearing.

upon receiving auditory confirmation

More formal and technical, indicating confirmation through hearing.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "until you hear" to sound more formal?

In formal contexts, you can use alternatives like "not until auditory confirmation is received" or "only upon receiving notification". These options convey a more professional tone.

Is "until you hear back" the same as "until you hear"?

"Until you hear back" implies a response is expected, while "until you hear" is more general and doesn't necessarily suggest a reply. The most suitable depends on the context.

What's a common mistake when using "until you hear"?

A frequent error is using "until you hear" when a different sense is more appropriate. For instance, saying "wait until you hear the light changes" is incorrect; instead, use "wait until you see the light change".

What can I say instead of "until you hear" when giving instructions?

When providing instructions, you might use "continue until you detect", "proceed until you notice the sound of", or "wait for an audible cue before...".