"listen to the story" vs "hear the story"

Question

"listen to the story" vs "hear the story"

Both 'hear the story' and 'listen to the story' are correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. 'Hear the story' implies simply perceiving the story with your ears, while 'listen to the story' suggests actively paying attention and focusing on the story being told.

Last Updated: March 23, 2024

This phrase is used when someone is actively paying attention and focusing on the story being told.

Examples:

Let's sit down and listen to the story together.
She always listens to the stories her grandmother tells.

Alternatives:

hear the story
pay attention to the story
attend to the story
focus on the story
be attentive to the story

This phrase is used when someone is simply perceiving the story with their ears, without necessarily actively paying attention or focusing on it.

Examples:

I can hear the story from the next room.
Did you hear the story about the haunted house?

Alternatives:

listen to the story
catch the story
get the story
be told the story
be informed of the story

Answer 1

listen to the story

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

Answer 2

hear the story

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"listen to the story" vs "hear the story"

listen to the story

hear the story

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