hear vs heard

Meanings

1. 1verbtransitive or intransitive

   To notice sounds with your ears; the base form used in present simple, infinitives, and after modals.

   Grammar: Base form: use after 'to', 'can', 'will', or with I/you/we/they in present simple. 'I can hear you.'

   Patterns

   • hear something
   • hear someone do something
   • hear about something

   I can hear the birds singing outside my window.

   Do you hear that noise? It sounds like a car alarm.

   She doesn't hear well in her left ear.

2. 2verbtransitive or intransitive

   Past tense and past participle of 'hear'; used for sounds noticed before now or in perfect tenses.

   Grammar: Past form: use for finished past actions or with 'have/has/had'. 'I heard a crash last night.'

   Patterns

   • heard something
   • have heard of something
   • heard from someone

   I heard a strange noise in the attic yesterday.

   Have you heard the new song by that band?

   We haven't heard from him since last month.

Common combinations

hear from someone

I hope to hear from you soon.

hear about something

Did you hear about the accident?

hear of something

I've never heard of that place.

hear someone out

Please hear me out before you decide.

Synonyms and how they differ

listen

To pay attention to sound on purpose; 'hear' is about sounds reaching your ears, often without trying.

Word family

hearing noun

The ability to hear, or an official meeting.

hearsay noun

Information heard from others, not directly known.

Commonly confused: hear vs heard or here? hear vs heard or herd?

Practice

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