Hear and listen

Hear and listen

​Hear

​Hear is a verb that means to sense a sound with our ears. When we hear something, it is by chance. This means we are not actively paying attention or waiting for the sound.

Remember that hear is an irregular verb in the simple past: heard.

​Examples of hear

• I think I heard someone laughing in the apartment next door.

  • He wasn't expecting laughter, but the sound reached his ears.

• You will hear native speakers use lots of contractions like "can't" or "didn't."

  • You are not specifically expecting or waiting for these words, but people will say them.

• I heard a really interesting news story on the radio this morning.

  • You did not expect exactly that story, but they told it.

• Did you hear the circus is coming to town?

  • You did not ask about a circus, but the news reached you.

• You called earlier? I heard the telephone ring, but I didn't answer in time.

  • She wasn't waiting for the telephone to ring, but the sound reached her ears.

​Listen

​Listen is a verb that means to give your attention to a sound. When we listen, we are actively concentrating on the sound. We can listen to a sound (a song, a speech) that is in progress. This is the most common way we use listen. Or, we can listen for a sound that we are expecting. This means we are quietly waiting for the sound.

​Examples of listen

• ​Please listen to the tour guide very carefully.

  • ​The speaker wants you to concentrate on what the guide says.

• She likes to listen to the radio while she is at work.

  • She likes to turn on the radio and pay attention to the music while she works.

• After this recording ends, listen for the beep. Then leave a message.

  • You should wait quietly, expecting the beep.

• We will honk the car horn when we arrive at your building. Just listen for the horn and come down to meet us.

  • You should expect the car horn.

• It's easier to run if you're listening to some good music!

  • You put on the music that you like best for exercise and pay attention to it while you run.

Let's practice!​

​Ready?

Multiple Choice

Hey John! Can you __________ that sound?

• hear

• listen to

Multiple Choice

__________ I'd like to have a word with you.

• Hear!

• Listen!

Multiple Choice

I can't __________ you. My dad's vacuuming.

• hear

• listen to

Multiple Choice

Be quiet, please. I'm __________ the news.

• hearing

• listening to

Multiple Choice

Have you __________ of the accident in Elm Road?

• heard

• listened

Multiple Choice

Do you like to __________ Rock music?

• hear

• listen to

Multiple Choice

The children __________ the teacher carefully.

• hear

• listen to

Multiple Choice

That's good to __________.

• hear

• listen

Multiple Choice

__________ There's someone at the door.

• Hear!

• Listen!

Multiple Choice

Can't you __________ the baby crying?

• hear

• listen to

Multiple Choice

Listen! Do you __________ the church bells? It must be midday.

• hear

• listen to

Multiple Choice

I haven't seen any lightning but I just ________ some thunder.

• heard

• listened to

Multiple Choice

We __________ the car crash and ran outside to help.

• heard

• listened to

Multiple Choice

I called out to grandma but she didn't __________ me. She wasn't wearing her hearing aid.

• hear

• listen to

Multiple Choice

Hey! __________ It's that spooky sound again.

• Hear!

• Listen!