hear
/hɪə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /hɪr/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈhir/ (ame, mw)
hear — verb
- hearpresent simple I / you / we / they
- hearshe / she / it
- heardpast simple
- hearing-ing form
1. to pick up sounds through your ears — for example, a door closing, someone calli
to pick up sounds through your ears — for example, a door closing, someone calling your name, or a bird singing in a tree.
Ada heard a knock at the door while she was cooking dinner.
hear + object + verb-ing with while-clause
Can you hear the baby crying in the next room?
question: Can you hear + object + verb-ing
Folake could hear the wind blowing through the trees all night.
When Élise heard her name called, she turned around quickly.
Otis has trouble hearing high-pitched sounds since his ear infection.
- catch
informal; suggests hearing something briefly or with difficulty, e.g. 'I didn't catch what you said'
- make out
suggests straining to hear something unclear or distant
- perceive
more formal and general; can apply to any sense, not just hearing
- overhear
hearing accidentally something not intended for you
- miss
fail to hear, e.g. 'I missed the announcement'
文法句型
hear + noun phrase
hear + object + verb-ing
hear + object + base verb
can/could hear
用法筆記
This sense describes the physical ability or act of perceiving sound, not the act of choosing to listen. To describe deliberate listening, use 'listen to'.
常見錯誤
2. to get news or information from what people say — for example, hearing that a fr
to get news or information from what people say — for example, hearing that a friend is getting married, that a storm is coming, or what your test results show.
Kevin heard that the school was closed because of a snowstorm.
hear + that-clause for learning news
Have you heard about the new restaurant that opened on Green Street?
Reema had never heard of the author before her professor mentioned him.
Sirin heard from her brother that their grandmother was feeling better.
Lan heard the news about the election results on the radio this morning.
- learn
emphasises the knowledge gained rather than the act of being told
- find out
suggests discovering information, sometimes through active effort
- be told
passive; focuses on the fact that someone passed the information to you
- get word of
slightly formal; receiving news indirectly
文法句型
hear + that-clause
hear about + noun phrase
hear of + noun phrase
hear from + person
用法筆記
'Hear about' is used for events or news ('heard about the accident'). 'Hear of' is used for people, places, or things you learn exist ('never heard of that band'). 'Hear from' means receive a message from someone ('heard from your sister').
常見錯誤
3. to pay close and serious attention to what someone is saying, especially in a fo
to pay close and serious attention to what someone is saying, especially in a formal setting such as a court, a committee meeting, or a disciplinary hearing.
The Supreme Court will hear the case next Monday morning.
legal context: hear a case
Chidi listened but the committee refused to hear his objections.
formal register: hear objections
The church elders heard both sides of the argument before deciding.
In many countries, a child's opinion must be heard in custody cases.
Judge Mauricio heard testimony from three witnesses before lunch.
- listen to attentively
less formal; describes the act of paying close attention in any context
- give a hearing to
formal; emphasises that someone is allowed to present their side
- try
specifically legal; a court 'tries' a case by hearing all evidence
- adjudicate
formal legal term; focuses on the decision-making after hearing
文法句型
hear + noun phrase (a case, testimony, evidence)
passive: opinion / voice is heard
hear + both sides / arguments
用法筆記
In everyday formal contexts, this sense overlaps with 'listen to' but adds emphasis on serious evaluation. In legal contexts, 'hear' is the specific term for a judge or official body considering a case, testimony, or evidence.