LISTEN or HEAR?

Although they have similar meanings, there are significant differences that you need to know!

Listen / Hear

We ‘listen’ to something when we focus on it and pay attention to it.
We ‘hear’ something that comes into our ears. It is not necessarily deliberate or intentional.
For example:

• I was trying to watch television but all I could hear was my neighbour playing his guitar.
• I went outside so I could listen to my neighbour play his guitar

Test yourself! Select the correct answer from the list for each gap

1. When you ask someone for directions, it is important to——-LISTEN TOHEARwhat they are saying.
2. I——-LISTENED TOHEARDa noise outside – perhaps you should go and take a look?
3. I was trying to——-LISTEN TOHEARto the teacher’s instructions, but she has a very quiet voice and I couldn’t——-LISTEN TOHEARher.
4. ——-LISTEN!HEAR!to that! It sounds like John’s car!
5. Where I work, we can——-LISTEN TOHEARthe radio if we want to.
6. I think there’s a storm coming – I just——-LISTENED TOHEARDsome thunder.
7. I was talking to friend who is overseas, but she couldn’t——-LISTEN TOHEARme because the phone line wasn’t clear.
8. The problem with some people is they never——-LISTEN TOHEARgood advice!