Agnaldo.

Hear and listen (to)

1. Hear: meaning.

Hear is the word used to say that something ‘comes to our ears’Suddenly, I heard a strange noise. (not suddenly, I listened to a strange noise)Can you hear me?

2. Listen (to): meaning

Listen (to) is used to talk about paying attention to sounds that are going on, in progress. It emphasises the idea of concentrating, trying to hear as well as possible. You can hear something without wanting to, but you can only listen to something deliberately. Compare:

I heard them talking in the next room, but i didn’t really listen to what they were saying.‘Listen carefully, please.’ ‘Could you speak a bit louder? I can’t hear you very well.’ I didn’t hear the phone because I was listening to the radio.

3. Complete experiences: hear

Note that listen (to) is mostly used to talk about experiences that are going on, in progress. To talk about experiencing the whole performance, speech, piece of music, broadcast etc. we generally use hear. Compare:

When She arrived, I was listening to a cd of Jorge Ben.(NOT...... I was hearing.) I once heard Agnaldo sing ‘Wonderwall’ by Oasis.( NOT.......I once listened to Agnaldo sing)

I wish I had more time to listen to the radio. (NOT...... to hear the radio) Did you hear/listen to the news yesterday?

4. Hear not used in progressive forms

Hear is not usually used in progressive forms. To say that one hears something at the moment of speaking, can hear is often used.

I can hear somebody coming. ( NOT....... I am hearing)

5. Listen and Listen to

Where there is no object, listen is used without to. Compare;

Listen ! ( Not..... Listen to!)Listen to me! ( not..... listen me!)