hear

hearverb

To hear is to take in sounds with your ears, or to learn something because someone tells you.

1. soundsnotice a sound with your ears

   Usually used with can or could, not in the continuous: I can hear a bird, not I am hearing a bird.

   transitive or intransitive [T/I] verb + object [V + obj] verb + object + bare infinitive [V + obj + inf] verb + object + -ing form [V + obj + -ing] not used in continuous tenses [no continuous]

   • Can you hear me at the back? V + obj
   • I heard a strange noise downstairs. V + obj
   • We heard her come in late last night. V + obj + inf
   • I could hear the children playing in the yard. V + obj + -ing

   Collocations

   adverb + verb clearly hear, hardly hear

   verb + noun hear a noise, hear a voice, hear footsteps

   phrase can hear, could hear

   Compare listen (hear happens without trying; listen means paying attention)

2. newsbe told or learn a piece of news or information

   I hear in the present simple is often used for news you learned recently: I hear you got a new job.

   transitive or intransitive [T/I] verb + that-clause [V + that] verb + object [V + obj] verb + preposition + object [V + prep + obj]

   • I hear you're moving to a new apartment. V + that
   • Have you heard the news? V + obj
   • Did you hear about Sam's accident? V + prep + obj
   • I heard from Kim that the meeting was canceled.

   Collocations

   verb + noun hear the news, hear a rumor, hear a story

   verb + preposition hear about something

   phrase I hear that, so I hear, from what I hear

   Synonyms learn

3. listenlisten to someone speak, or to a talk or performance, often as one of an audience

   transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj] verb + object + bare infinitive [V + obj + inf]

   • I went to hear her speak at the library. V + obj + inf
   • You haven't heard my side of the story yet. V + obj
   • We heard a great band at the festival. V + obj

   Collocations

   verb + noun hear a talk, hear both sides, hear a concert

   1. alisten to the facts in a court of law and make a decision

      The subject is a court or a judge; often passive.

      transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj] law

      • The case will be heard next month. V + obj
      • The judge heard evidence from both sides. V + obj

      Collocations

      verb + noun hear a case, hear evidence, hear an appeal

4. get a messageget a letter, a phone call, an email, or other message from someone

   Usually followed by from and the person or organization that sends the message.

   intransitive [I] verb + preposition + object [V + prep + obj]

   • Have you heard from Yuki lately? V + prep + obj
   • We look forward to hearing from you. V + prep + obj
   • I haven't heard from the bank yet. V + prep + obj

   Collocations

   verb + preposition hear from someone

   phrase look forward to hearing from you, have not heard from

5. know aboutknow that someone or something exists

   Followed by of; very common with never and in questions.

   intransitive [I] verb + preposition + object [V + prep + obj]

   • I've never heard of that town. V + prep + obj
   • Have you heard of a singer called Omar? V + prep + obj
   • It's a small company that most people have never heard of.

   Collocations

   verb + preposition hear of someone, hear of something

   phrase never heard of

See also listen