we could hear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we could hear" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the ability to perceive sounds in a particular context or situation. Example: "As we sat by the campfire, we could hear the distant sound of waves crashing against the shore."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We could hear them screaming.

The New York Times

We could hear voices inside.

The New York Times - Magazine

We could hear voices in the background.

The New York Times

We could hear them through the panelling.

The New Yorker

We could hear them crash.

The New York Times

"We could hear them firing.

The Guardian

We could hear the wind chimes ringing.

The New Yorker

"From outside, we could hear her screams.

The Guardian

We could hear the waves crashing.

The New York Times - Magazine

We could hear sirens wailing, coming closer.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We could hear the bulkheads popping".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we could hear" to describe a past ability or opportunity to perceive sounds. This is particularly useful when setting a scene or describing an environment. For example: "As we approached the concert hall, "we could hear" the music spilling out onto the street."

Common error

Avoid using "we could hear" when you intend to express a present ability. "We can hear" is appropriate for current sensory perception, while "we could hear" refers to a past ability or a hypothetical situation. For example, instead of saying, "Right now, we could hear the birds singing", say, "Right now, we can hear the birds singing".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we could hear" functions as a verb phrase indicating the ability or possibility of perceiving sounds in the past. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. The phrase is commonly used to describe sensory experiences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Academia

16%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we could hear" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to describe the ability to perceive sounds in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for a wide range of contexts, particularly in narrative and descriptive writing. The phrase's high frequency in sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its common usage in news reporting and storytelling. To ensure clarity, writers should be mindful of the distinction between "we could hear" (past ability) and "we can hear" (present ability), avoiding potential confusion in their writing. Ultimately, "we could hear" is a reliable and effective tool for evoking auditory experiences in the reader's mind.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were able to hear

Replaces "could" with "were able to", emphasizing the ability to hear at a specific time.

we heard

A simpler past tense, focusing on the act of hearing without explicitly mentioning the ability.

we were hearing

Uses the past continuous tense, indicating that the act of hearing was ongoing.

it was audible to us

Shifts the focus to the audibility of the sound rather than the act of hearing itself.

sounds reached our ears

A more descriptive and literary way of saying that sounds were perceived.

we perceived the sound of

Emphasizes the perception of a specific sound.

the sound was perceptible to us

Highlights the perceptibility of the sound from an objective perspective.

we picked up the sound of

Implies a subtle or faint sound that was detected.

the sounds reached us

Highlights the directionality of sound and implies an external source.

our ears registered

Suggests a mechanical or biological process of hearing

FAQs

How can I use "we could hear" in a sentence?

Use "we could hear" to describe the ability to perceive sounds in the past. For instance, "From our hotel room, "we could hear" the ocean waves crashing on the beach".

What's a good substitute for "we could hear"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "we were able to hear", "we heard", or "it was audible to us".

Is it correct to say "we can hear" instead of "we could hear"?

It depends on the context. "We can hear" refers to a present ability, while "we could hear" refers to a past ability or a conditional scenario.

What is the difference between "we could hear" and "we were hearing"?

"We could hear" indicates the ability to hear something, while "we were hearing" suggests the act of listening was ongoing or in progress at a particular time.