A1 verb Neutral #118 most common

hear

/hɪər/

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 5
1

I can hear the birds singing outside my window every morning.

I can hear the birds singing outside my window every morning.

2

The judge will hear the evidence presented by both sides today.

The judge will hear the evidence presented by both sides today.

3

Did you hear about the big party next door last night?

Did you hear about the big party next door last night?

Word Family

Noun
hearing
Verb
hear
Adjective
audible
Related
hearer
💡

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

1

I can hear the birds singing outside my window every morning.

everyday

I can hear the birds singing outside my window every morning.

2

The judge will hear the evidence presented by both sides today.

formal

The judge will hear the evidence presented by both sides today.

3

Did you hear about the big party next door last night?

informal

Did you hear about the big party next door last night?

4

Studies indicate that humans can hear frequencies between 20 Hz and 20 kHz.

academic

Studies indicate that humans can hear frequencies between 20 Hz and 20 kHz.

5

I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the new project proposal.

business

I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the new project proposal.

Word Family

Noun
hearing
Verb
hear
Adjective
audible
Related
hearer

Common Collocations

hear a noise hear a noise
hear the news hear the news
hard of hearing hard of hearing
hear from someone hear from someone
hear a voice hear a voice

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 vs listen

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

Irregular verb: hear (present), heard (past), heard (past participle). Often followed by an object: hear + [noun/pronoun]. Used with 'can' to describe current perception: 'I can hear you'.
🌍

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 Words

you

A1

Used 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

A1

People refers to a group of human beings or the general public. It is the standard plural form of the word 'person'.

put

A1

To 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

A1

To 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

A1

To 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

A1

To 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

A1

To 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

A1

To 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

A1

To 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

A1

To 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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