hear
To perceive sounds through the ears as a physical sense. It often happens automatically without active effort, unlike listening which requires focus.
Examples
3 of 5I can hear the birds singing outside my window every morning.
I can hear the birds singing outside my window every morning.
The judge will hear the evidence presented by both sides today.
The judge will hear the evidence presented by both sides today.
Did you hear about the big party next door last night?
Did you hear about the big party next door last night?
Word Family
Memory Tip
Look at the word: you use your EAR to hEAR.
Quick Quiz
Speak louder, please! I cannot ___ you very well.
Correct!
The correct answer is: hear
Examples
I can hear the birds singing outside my window every morning.
everydayI can hear the birds singing outside my window every morning.
The judge will hear the evidence presented by both sides today.
formalThe judge will hear the evidence presented by both sides today.
Did you hear about the big party next door last night?
informalDid you hear about the big party next door last night?
Studies indicate that humans can hear frequencies between 20 Hz and 20 kHz.
academicStudies indicate that humans can hear frequencies between 20 Hz and 20 kHz.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the new project proposal.
businessI look forward to hearing your thoughts on the new project proposal.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
Hear me out
Listen to everything I have to say before reacting
I hear you
I understand or sympathize with what you are saying
Hear a pin drop
A situation that is extremely quiet
Often Confused With
Hear is the physical ability to perceive sound; listen is the conscious action of paying attention to sound.
Usage Notes
Hear is a stative verb when it refers to the sense of perception, so it is rarely used in the continuous (-ing) form. You usually say 'I hear a noise' rather than 'I am hearing a noise'.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use 'listen' when sound enters the ear without effort. For example, saying 'I listened a bang' instead of 'I heard a bang'.
Memory Tip
Look at the word: you use your EAR to hEAR.
Word Origin
Derived from the Old English 'hieran', which has Germanic origins related to the word for 'to notice'.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many English-speaking cultures, 'I hear you' is a common idiomatic way to signal empathy or validation in a conversation.
Quick Quiz
Speak louder, please! I cannot ___ you very well.
Correct!
The correct answer is: hear
Related Grammar Rules
Related Phrases
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
you
A1Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.
people
A1People refers to a group of human beings or the general public. It is the standard plural form of the word 'person'.
put
A1To move something into a particular place or position. It is a fundamental verb used to describe the act of placing an object or setting a situation in a specific location.
mean
A1To have a specific sense or significance, especially when explaining a word or sign. It can also describe a person's intention or the importance of something to someone.
keep
A1To continue to have or hold something in your possession or at your disposal. It also means to remain in a specific state, condition, or position without changing.
begin
A1To start doing something or for an event to happen for the first time. It is often used to describe the first point of a process or activity.
seem
A1To give the impression of being something or having a particular quality based on what you see or hear. It is used to describe an appearance or feeling that may or may not be the actual truth.
help
A1To make it easier for someone to do something by offering your services, resources, or support. It can involve physical effort, providing information, or giving money to assist a person or a cause.
talk
A1To speak in order to give information or express ideas, feelings, or thoughts. It typically involves a conversation between two or more people or a person addressing an audience.
start
A1To begin doing something or to cause something to happen for the first time. It is frequently used when talking about movements, journeys, or making a machine or engine begin to work.
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