hear ~ listen(to):
[For the right pronunciation of ‘hear’, please click here & for the right pronunciation of listen, please click here.]
This sentence: ‘He heard a bell ring and listened to it carefully to know whether it was the doorbell or the telephone.’ may mean ‘when his ears received the sound of a bell, he paid attention to follow that sound in order to decide whether it was from the doorbell or from the telephone’.
For Example:
I hear voices in my head. ( = I don’t know what they are.)
I listen to my heart and do as I like. (= I hear, understand and know what …)
If you listen carefully, you will hear strange sounds from this room!
Boss: ‘I don’t want to hear any more of your excuses; finish the job!’
Employee: ‘But, please, listen to me …’
Boss: ‘Sorry, I don’t have all day to listen to your stories.’
Employee: ‘No… Sir … but you can at least hear me out.’
Common Errors:
1.
We are hearing the news on the radio or TV. [wrong]
We are listening to the news on the radio or TV. [right]
2.
Did you listen somebody call you? [wrong]
Did you hear somebody call you? [right]
3.
(on the telephone) “Sorry, I can’t listen you; speak up, please!” [wrong]
(on the telephone) “Sorry, I can’t hear you; speak up, please!” [right]
4.
Hear to your teacher while he is teaching. [wrong]
Listen to your teacher while he is teaching. [right]
