Hear him saying vs Hear him say

Both "hear him saying" and "hear him say" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Hear him saying" is used when referring to the act of hearing someone while they are in the process of speaking, while "hear him say" is used when referring to hearing someone's words in general.

Last updated: April 04, 2024 • 464 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to the act of hearing someone while they are in the process of speaking.

"Hear him saying "

This phrase is used when you want to emphasize that you are hearing someone while they are speaking. It is often used in reported speech or when describing a specific moment of hearing someone speak.

Examples:

I could hear him saying that he didn't want to go.
She heard him saying he would be late for the meeting.
We heard him saying goodbye as he left the room.

Show examples from the web [+]

Like the disciples you rejoice in his presence; you rejoice when you hear him saying: "Peace be with you".
If only I could hear him saying these words once...
I hear him saying words that he's never said to me.
These changes of circumstances should also be accepted as coming from the Lord; so again we hear him saying to us: This thing is from Me.
I was very surprised to hear him saying so because even in our final phone call Gary said that he will not leave any message for the victims family, because he has nothing to say to them.
In that dawn, María Magdalena takes risks for her Love, she listens to her Love (to hear Him saying "Mary" is enough for her to recognize Him) and she meets the Father.
Then we see him as the founder of his Church, laying his hands on his disciples to give them the Holy Spirit; we hear him saying extraordinary words to Peter whom he placed as the head of his Church.
You visit the Maldive Islands with a Sardinian and you will hear him saying: "A nice sea around here... it's almost as nice as ours."
I can hear him saying, Get out the guns
"Let's hear him saying that to the teachers at this college today.Be highly qualified specialists in your chosen field and especially in your relationships as older sisters and brothers to the young people entrusted to your care," he said.
I can just hear him saying, Get out and slap that bunch of no-goods. That's what you get for treating them like white men.
Can you imagine how it must have crushed Joseph to know that in spite of all his efforts his brothers still doubted his love? I can almost hear him saying, Could it be that they have never really believed?
If you are lucky and Mastro Crescenzo is in, knock the door and you will hear him saying, "trasite, trasite" (please, get in).

Alternatives:

heard him speak
heard him talking
heard him chatting
heard him conversing
heard him communicating

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to hearing someone's words in general.

"Hear him say"

This phrase is used when you want to refer to the general act of hearing someone's words without emphasizing the ongoing process of speaking. It is commonly used in reported speech or when summarizing what someone said.

Examples:

I could hear him say that he didn't want to go.
She heard him say he would be late for the meeting.
We heard him say goodbye as he left the room.

Show examples from the web [+]

I was there, ni didn't hear him say that.
Did I just hear him say two uteruses?
I wanted to hear him say that he tried his best.
And I suppose I want to hear him say that he wants to come back for me.
I want to hear him say who the medicine is for.
Okay. I would love to hear him say those words.
I don't want to hear Him say, David you did mighty works in My name.
Did you hear him say "alleged"?
Do you know what I really wanted to hear him say?
Now, here in Manila, we gather to hear him say: "As the Father sent me, so am I sending you" (Ibid. 20, 21).
Did you hear him say "safe"?
Ian, didn't you hear him say "My father insists"?
And I might never again hear him say - [screaming]
No, I want to hear him say that he lied, that what he did was wrong.
For example, we were very delighted to hear him say at once: "Castel Gandolfo is my second home."
It was such a joy to be able to give him a shampoo or soap that he liked, and to hear him say, "I like that very much," with such a quiet enthusiasm, and his eyes shining.
You could just hear him say,
I didn't hear him say it.
I didn't hear him say thank you.
I don't need to hear him say it.

Alternatives:

heard him speak
heard him talk
heard him chat
heard him converse
heard him communicate

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Hear him saying vs Hear him say

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"Hear him say"

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