we heard that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we heard that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when conveying information that has been received from another source, often in a conversational or informal context. Example: "We heard that the meeting has been rescheduled to next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Where have we heard that argument before?

The Washington Post

Where have we heard that name?

The New York Times

When have we heard that phrase before?

Forbes

We heard that deal valued Ouya somewhere between $60 million and $80 million.

TechCrunch

(Have we heard that somewhere before?).

Huffington Post

Now where have we heard that number before?

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Did we hear that right?

The Guardian - Sport

"We hear that often in the clinic," he said.

The New York Times

We hear that doctrine cited regularly on television talk shows.

The New York Times

We hear that job will fall to Alex Forrest.

The Guardian

Hang on a minute, did we hear that right?

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we heard that" when you want to convey information received from another party without necessarily endorsing its accuracy. It's suitable for informal communication or when presenting information that requires further verification.

Common error

Avoid using "we heard that" as the sole basis for making critical decisions or drawing firm conclusions. Always seek corroborating evidence from reliable sources to validate information received through hearsay.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we heard that" primarily functions as an reporting clause. It introduces information obtained from an external source. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is frequently used in various contexts. Examples show it introducing everything from rumors to official reports.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we heard that" is a common and grammatically sound reporting clause, used to introduce information received from an external source. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used, particularly in news and media, where it allows for the presentation of information without necessarily vouching for its accuracy. While versatile, writers should be mindful of the context and avoid relying solely on hearsay for critical decisions. Alternatives like ""we were informed that"" or ""it was reported to us that"" offer more formal options when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were told that

This is a more casual and direct alternative, similar to "we heard that".

we were informed that

This is a direct and neutral alternative, suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

we learned that

This implies a discovery or acquisition of knowledge.

we understand that

This implies a level of comprehension or interpretation, rather than a simple relay of information.

we gathered that

This suggests an accumulation of information from various sources.

it was reported to us that

This alternative suggests the information was officially reported or documented.

it has come to our attention that

This alternative offers a more formal tone than the original phrase.

sources indicate that

This alternative is more generic and often used in journalistic contexts when the source is not explicitly named.

the word is that

This is an informal alternative, implying gossip or unverified information.

rumor has it that

This alternative emphasizes the unconfirmed nature of the information.

FAQs

What does "we heard that" mean?

The phrase "we heard that" indicates that the speaker or writer received information from an external source, often implying that the information might not be verified or completely accurate.

When is it appropriate to use "we heard that" in writing?

Use "we heard that" in informal contexts or when presenting information that needs further confirmation. It's common in news reporting to introduce information attributed to unnamed sources.

What are some alternatives to "we heard that"?

You can use alternatives like "we were informed that", "it was reported to us that", or "we understand that" depending on the context and level of formality.

Is "we heard that" grammatically correct?

Yes, "we heard that" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English grammar rules and is widely used in both spoken and written language.