In 15 Seconds
- Learn new information.
- Used for updates and discoveries.
- Common in everyday chat.
- Avoid for specific facts.
Meaning
This phrase means you've just learned something new, often something important or interesting, about a situation or a person. It's like catching a piece of information someone sent your way. It carries a sense of discovery, whether it's good or bad news.
Key Examples
3 of 11Texting a friend
Hey! Did you `hear news` about the concert venue changing?
Hey! Did you receive information about the concert venue changing?
At a café
I was so relieved to `hear news` that my visa application was approved.
I was so relieved to receive information that my visa application was approved.
Job interview (Zoom)
I `hear news` that your company is expanding into new markets.
I receive information that your company is expanding into new markets.
Cultural Background
The phrase 'No news is good news' is a staple of British stoicism. It implies that unless you are specifically told something is wrong, you should assume everything is fine. In the US, 'hearing the news' is often associated with 'Breaking News' culture, which emphasizes speed and urgency. People often feel a need to hear news the moment it happens. In Japan, hearing bad news is often handled with great indirectness. The person delivering the news might use soft language, and the person 'hearing' it is expected to read between the lines. On social media, 'hearing news' has been replaced by 'seeing news' or 'scrolling through news,' yet the idiom 'I heard that...' remains the dominant way to introduce information in speech.
The 'A' Trap
Never say 'a news'. It is the most common mistake for A2 learners. Use 'some news' instead.
Reaction is Key
When you hear news, always follow up with a reaction like 'That's interesting!' or 'I'm sorry to hear that.'
In 15 Seconds
- Learn new information.
- Used for updates and discoveries.
- Common in everyday chat.
- Avoid for specific facts.
What It Means
Hear news means you've just received information. It's about finding out something you didn't know before. This information can be about anything – a person, a place, an event, or a situation. Think of it as your ears picking up on new details. It’s a common way to say you’ve been updated on something. It's not about the physical act of hearing sound, but about the *reception* of information. Did you hear the news about the project deadline? That means you found out about it.
How To Use It
You use hear news when you get an update. It’s often used when the news is significant. You can hear news from people directly. You can also hear news from media like TV or the internet. The phrase implies you were previously unaware. It’s a simple, direct way to state you’ve learned something new. It’s like opening a message and reading its contents. You don't say you 'hear a message'; you hear news about it.
Real-Life Examples
- Sarah: "Did you
hear newsfrom your brother?" - Mark: "Yes, he got the job!"
- A news anchor: "We have breaking news to report tonight."
- A student posting online: "Finally
hear newsabout my exam results! So nervous." - A manager to their team: "I
hear newsthat our competitor is launching a new product."
When To Use It
Use hear news when you want to say you've learned something new. It works best for information that has some importance. It could be personal news, like a friend's engagement. It could be professional news, like a company merger. It’s great for updates you receive passively. You’ve heard it, and now you know. It fits when you’re not the one *delivering* the news, but receiving it. Think of it as being 'in the loop' now. It's like suddenly seeing a new notification pop up on your phone.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use hear news for very specific, factual data. You wouldn't say "I hear news that the train leaves at 3 PM." That's too specific. You'd just say "I know" or "I was told." It's also not for information you actively sought out and found yourself, like researching something online. You don't hear news from a search engine; you *find* information. Avoid it for trivial details. "I hear news that it's raining" sounds a bit odd unless the rain is significant (like a storm).
Common Mistakes
(We usually say news without 'the' when speaking generally about information received. 'The news' often refers to specific, broadcast news, like on TV.)
('Message' is too specific and usually implies a direct communication channel, not general information.)
('Fact' is too precise. News is broader information.)
(You hear *about* the weather, not the weather itself as 'news'.)
Similar Expressions
Get news: Very similar, slightly more active. "I got news from home."Receive news: More formal. "We received news of the accident."Learn something: General. "I learned that he moved."Find out: Active discovery. "I found out she was leaving."Be informed: Formal. "I was informed of the changes."Catch up on news: Reading or listening to recent information. "I need to catch up on the news."
Common Variations
Hear the news: Used when referring to specific, often important or sensational, information. "Did you hear the news about the celebrity couple?"Hear some news: Similar tohear news, but slightly more specific. "I heard some news about your promotion."Hear good news/Hear bad news: Specifies the nature of the information. "I was happy to hear good news."
Memory Trick
Imagine your ears are like little news-gathering hearoes! They are always ready to hear and catch any news that flies by. When information arrives, your hearoes catch it – that's when you hear news!
Quick FAQ
Q. Is hear news formal or informal?
A. It's generally neutral, fitting most everyday conversations. You might use receive news in very formal settings, but hear news is widely accepted.
Q. Can I use hear news for gossip?
A. Absolutely! If you're catching up on gossip, you're hearing news about people's lives. It’s perfect for that juicy info!
Q. Does hear news always mean something important?
A. Not necessarily. It often implies some level of interest or significance, but it can also be used for less critical updates. Context is key!
Usage Notes
This phrase is generally neutral in formality and widely applicable in everyday spoken English. Avoid using 'the' before 'news' unless referring to specific, broadcast news. Remember 'news' is uncountable, so don't use 'a news' or 'newses'.
The 'A' Trap
Never say 'a news'. It is the most common mistake for A2 learners. Use 'some news' instead.
Reaction is Key
When you hear news, always follow up with a reaction like 'That's interesting!' or 'I'm sorry to hear that.'
Gossip vs News
In casual English, 'news' can often mean gossip. If someone says 'I have news!', they usually mean something personal and exciting.
Preposition Choice
Use 'news of' for events (news of the war) and 'news about' for people (news about my sister).
Examples
11Hey! Did you `hear news` about the concert venue changing?
Hey! Did you receive information about the concert venue changing?
Used casually to ask if a friend has learned about a change.
I was so relieved to `hear news` that my visa application was approved.
I was so relieved to receive information that my visa application was approved.
Expresses relief upon receiving important, positive information.
I `hear news` that your company is expanding into new markets.
I receive information that your company is expanding into new markets.
Shows awareness of company developments, sounding informed.
Finally `hear news` from my adventure abroad! So much has happened.
Finally receive information from my adventure abroad! So much has happened.
A common way to start sharing updates after a period of silence.
OMG, did you `hear news` about Chloe's surprise party?!
OMG, did you receive information about Chloe's surprise party?!
Expresses excitement and asks about shared knowledge of an event.
We are pleased to `hear news` of our successful funding round.
We are pleased to receive information of our successful funding round.
A slightly more formal way to acknowledge important business information.
✗ I heard the news about the project delay. → ✓ I heard news about the project delay.
✗ I received the information about the project delay. → ✓ I received information about the project delay.
Often, 'news' is used as an uncountable noun for general information, not specific broadcast news.
✗ I hear the update. → ✓ I received the update. / I got the update.
✗ I receive the update. → ✓ I received the update. / I got the update.
`Hear` isn't typically used with specific, singular updates like 'the update'.
I finally `hear news` from my cat – he demands more treats.
I finally receive information from my cat – he demands more treats.
Used humorously to anthropomorphize an animal's 'communication'.
Just wanted to share the `news` – I'm moving to a new city!
Just wanted to share the information – I'm moving to a new city!
Here, 'news' is used as a noun, not part of the phrase `hear news`, but related contextually.
Wait, you `hear news` that he quit? I had no idea!
Wait, you received information that he quit? I had no idea!
Expresses surprise and confirms if the other person has also learned the same surprising thing.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'hear'.
Yesterday, I ____ some very interesting news about the new project.
The sentence refers to 'Yesterday', so the past tense 'heard' is required.
Choose the grammatically correct sentence.
Which sentence is correct?
'News' is uncountable, so we use 'some' and never 'a' or 'newses'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Have you ____ the news? B: No, what happened?
The standard collocation for asking if someone knows an update is 'Have you heard the news?'
Match the phrase to the situation.
Which phrase fits a formal email about a job?
This uses a neutral/formal tone appropriate for a job application.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Types of News You Might Hear
Personal
- • Weddings
- • New Jobs
- • Babies
Global
- • Politics
- • Weather
- • Science
Work
- • Meetings
- • Promotions
- • Changes
Practice Bank
4 exercisesYesterday, I ____ some very interesting news about the new project.
The sentence refers to 'Yesterday', so the past tense 'heard' is required.
Which sentence is correct?
'News' is uncountable, so we use 'some' and never 'a' or 'newses'.
A: Have you ____ the news? B: No, what happened?
The standard collocation for asking if someone knows an update is 'Have you heard the news?'
Which phrase fits a formal email about a job?
This uses a neutral/formal tone appropriate for a job application.
🎉 Score: /4
Video Tutorials
Find video tutorials on YouTube for this phrase.
Frequently Asked Questions
14 questionsIt is grammatically singular. We say 'The news is...' even though it ends in 's'.
No, 'news' is uncountable. Say 'I heard some news' or 'I heard a piece of news'.
'Listen to' is the action of paying attention to the radio/TV. 'Hear' is the act of receiving the information.
The past tense is 'heard'. Example: 'I heard the news yesterday.'
It is neutral. It works in both casual conversations and professional emails.
It means that if you don't receive any updates, you should assume that nothing bad has happened.
No, 'newses' is not a word. 'News' is already the form used for both one update and many updates.
Good, bad, great, shocking, breaking, latest, and wonderful.
Yes! In modern English, we often say 'I heard' even if we read the information on a phone or computer.
It is news that is happening right now and is being reported for the first time.
Both are correct. 'Of' is slightly more formal; 'about' is more common in daily speech.
The most common response is 'I'm so sorry to hear that.'
Common responses include 'That's great news!' or 'I'm so happy to hear that!'
It's better to say 'I read it in the newspaper,' but 'I heard news about it' is fine if you're talking about the information itself.
Related Phrases
get wind of
similarTo hear a rumor or a hint of something.
keep someone posted
builds onTo continue giving someone news.
break the news
contrastTo be the person who tells the news.
word of mouth
similarInformation passed from person to person.
latest scoop
informalThe most recent and exciting news.
