For many people learning English, listen and hear are possibly the two most confusing verbs! When can you use listen or hear? In this post I will explain the difference between the two verbs, and when you can use them.
Take a look at these sentences:
Can you see the difference?
*Hear is NOT used in a continuous tense. Instead, use can hear:
~
*Remember: when listen has an object, use to - you listen TO someone or something:
1) Hear can also be used to talk about the result of listening - when you want to talk about something you experienced or listened to:
2) to hear from someone
3) Hear can also be used to express that you have been told or learned (of) something, like news.
*When talking about news that you have heard, read, or seen on TV, you can usehear with a that clause [ hear in the present tense]:
Take a look at these sentences:
- I was listening to the radio when I heard the phone ring.
- I’m listening but I can’t hear you!
- Shhh! Listen! Did you hear that? I think I heard a noise.
Can you see the difference?
~
- Can you hear me? [Is my voice loud enough? Can you hear me making a sound/a noise?]
- I heard a noise outside.
- My grandmother is getting old. She can’t hear very well.
- What did you say? I can’t hear you. You’ll have to speak up.
*Hear is NOT used in a continuous tense. Instead, use can hear:
- I can hear you! [NOT I am hearing you.]
- I couldn’t hear you! [NOT I am not hearing you.]
~
- Are you listening to me? [Are you paying attention to what I am saying? Are you paying attention to me?]
- Listen! = Pay attention!
- We listened carefully to the president’s speech.
- My lawyer did all the talking – I just sat and listened.
*Remember: when listen has an object, use to - you listen TO someone or something:
- I like listening TO music!
- I’m listening TO you! [NOT I listen you]
- Listen TO me! [NOT Listen me!]
- Do you like to listen to music? [NOT Do you like listen music?]
~
1) Hear can also be used to talk about the result of listening - when you want to talk about something you experienced or listened to:
- I hear what you’re saying but I don’t agree with you. [I’ve just finished listening to you]
- I heard a great song on the radio this morning. [I was listening to the radio this morning]
- I heard the choir sing at Roy Thompson Hall last year. [Last year I went to Roy Thompson Hall and I listened to the choir sing.]
- You haven’t heard a word I’ve said!
2) to hear from someone
- Have you heard from Jeff? He said he’d call today.
- “Hi, Mary! It’s nice to hear from you! We haven’t talked in such a long time.”
- I got a card from Jen today. It was nice to hear from her.
3) Hear can also be used to express that you have been told or learned (of) something, like news.
- I’ll let you know if I hear anything.
- Did you hear the news yesterday? Ken was in a car accident.
*When talking about news that you have heard, read, or seen on TV, you can usehear with a that clause [ hear in the present tense]:
- I hear (that) you’re expecting a baby.
- I hear (that) you’ve bought a new house.
- I hear (that) John was fired yesterday.
