when we first heard

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when we first heard" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the initial moment or occasion when information or news was received. Example: "When we first heard about the new project, we were all excited to get started."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"When we first heard it we just laughed," she remembers.

The Guardian - Music

Which was when we first heard about "playdates".

The New Yorker

We were skeptical when we first heard that, and we're even more skeptical now.

The New York Times

When we first heard the story, my mother shook her head.

The New York Times

"When we first heard about Duquecito, this is the guy we heard about," Torre said.

The New York Times - Sports

When we first heard we had the funding, there was a feeling of complete terror.

The Guardian

"When we first heard the song, it was a demo that Carole King was singing.

The New Yorker

"We were very excited when we first heard Deion was available," Daniel Snyder, the Redskins' owner, said.

The New York Times - Sports

When we first heard about Casa Las Brisas and Majahuitas, we were intrigued by how secluded they sounded.

The New York Times - Travel

Gordy later said: "When we first heard 'Baby I Need Your Loving' Levi's voice exploded in the room and went straight for our hearts.

Independent

"When we first heard the song 'Stateside,' we were blown away," said Peter Rotondo, vice president for media and entertainment for the Breeders' Cup.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "when we first heard" to introduce a reaction, belief, or action that followed an initial piece of information. For instance, "When we first heard about the merger, we were skeptical."

Common error

Avoid using "when we first heard" if the focus is not on the initial moment of receiving information. If you're discussing subsequent events or a continuous state, a different phrasing might be more appropriate. For example, instead of saying "When we first heard about the problem, we continued to monitor it daily", consider using "After we learned about the problem, we monitored it daily".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when we first heard" functions as an adverbial clause of time, modifying the main clause by specifying when something occurred. It introduces the temporal context for the action or state described in the main clause, as shown in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "when we first heard" is a versatile adverbial clause used to set the stage for a narrative or explanation by marking the initial moment of receiving information. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. It is particularly common in news and media contexts, indicating its usefulness in reporting initial reactions and providing context. While alternatives like "upon initially hearing" exist, "when we first heard" remains a clear and concise option for conveying the temporal context of an event. By understanding its function and purpose, writers can effectively use this phrase to enhance clarity and engagement in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

upon initially hearing

Replaces "when" with "upon" and uses "initially" to emphasize the beginning, creating a slightly more formal tone.

at the time we initially learned

Expands the phrase to include "at the time" for a more descriptive temporal reference.

on the occasion we first learned of

Uses a more formal tone with "on the occasion" and adds "of" for clarity.

the first time we were informed

Replaces "heard" with "were informed" for a more passive construction.

when news initially reached us

Shifts focus to the news reaching the group rather than their action of hearing.

at our first knowledge of

Uses "knowledge" instead of "hearing" to emphasize understanding, making it more abstract.

when it was initially reported to us

Similar to the previous alternative, but emphasizes official reporting.

our initial reaction upon hearing

Focuses on the reaction, implying a response to the information received.

the moment we initially became aware

Highlights the point of awareness, suggesting a dawning understanding.

as soon as we got word

Informal, conversational alternative emphasizing speed of information receipt.

FAQs

How can I use "when we first heard" in a sentence?

Use "when we first heard" to describe your initial reaction or understanding upon receiving specific information. For example, "When we first heard the news, we were shocked."

What are some alternatives to "when we first heard"?

You can use alternatives such as "upon initially hearing", "at the time we initially learned", or "the first time we were informed" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "when we had first heard" instead of "when we first heard"?

While "when we had first heard" is grammatically correct, it's less common and can sound overly formal. "When we first heard" is generally more concise and natural.

What's the difference between "when we first heard" and "after we heard"?

"When we first heard" emphasizes the immediate reaction at the moment of receiving the information. "After we heard" simply indicates that something occurred following the receipt of information, without necessarily focusing on the initial reaction.