Signification
To pay attention to the sounds of music.
Contexte culturel
Listening to music with headphones in public is a common way to signal that you do not want to be disturbed. There are 'Jazz Kissas' where people go to listen to music in total silence to show respect to the art. Listening to music is often a loud, shared experience in neighborhoods, especially during festivals. There is a strong tradition of 'Hausmusik' (house music), where families listen to or play music together at home.
The 'To' Trap
Never say 'listen music'. It is the most common mistake for A1-B1 learners. Always add 'to'.
Active vs Passive
Use 'listen to' when you are focused. Use 'hear' when the music is just in the background and you aren't paying attention.
Signification
To pay attention to the sounds of music.
The 'To' Trap
Never say 'listen music'. It is the most common mistake for A1-B1 learners. Always add 'to'.
Active vs Passive
Use 'listen to' when you are focused. Use 'hear' when the music is just in the background and you aren't paying attention.
Genre Placement
You can put the genre between 'to' and 'music', like 'listen to rock music'.
Headphone Etiquette
In many English-speaking countries, listening to music with headphones in an office is okay, but you should take them off when someone speaks to you.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word.
I like to listen ___ music when I am sad.
The verb 'listen' always takes 'to' before the object 'music'.
Choose the most natural sentence.
Which sentence is correct?
'Listening to' is the correct active form for enjoying music.
Complete the dialogue.
A: What are you doing? B: I'm just ____.
The present continuous 'am + -ing' is needed for an action happening now.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You want to suggest playing some songs in the car.
'Let's' is followed by the base form of the verb phrase 'listen to music'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Listen vs. Hear
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesI like to listen ___ music when I am sad.
The verb 'listen' always takes 'to' before the object 'music'.
Which sentence is correct?
'Listening to' is the correct active form for enjoying music.
A: What are you doing? B: I'm just ____.
The present continuous 'am + -ing' is needed for an action happening now.
You want to suggest playing some songs in the car.
'Let's' is followed by the base form of the verb phrase 'listen to music'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIn English, 'listen' is an intransitive verb that requires a preposition to connect to an object, while 'hear' is a transitive verb that connects directly.
No, that is grammatically incorrect. You must say 'I'm listening to music'.
It is neutral. It is appropriate for both a job interview and a chat with a friend.
'Listen to music' means you are the audience. 'Play music' means you are the performer or you are the one pressing the 'play' button.
Yes, but only if you are talking about a specific song or sound playing right now. For the general hobby, just say 'listen to music'.
The past tense is 'listened to music'. For example: 'I listened to music all night.'
You can say 'jamming out', 'vibing', or 'bumping some tracks'.
It is 'listen to music' in all dialects of English, including British, American, and Australian.
Usually, we say 'listen to a podcast'. 'Music' specifically refers to songs and instrumental pieces.
Over time, English speakers found it easier to skip the 't' sound between 's' and 'n'. This is called elision.
Expressions liées
put on music
similarTo start playing music.
hear music
contrastTo perceive the sound of music without necessarily trying.
music to my ears
idiomInformation that makes you happy.
jam out
informalTo listen to music with great energy.
tune in
specialized formTo listen to a specific broadcast.
