Phrasal verbs "hear from" vs "hear of"

Differences between hear from and hear of

Hear from is used when someone communicates with you, while hear of is used when you learn about someone or something through other people.

Meanings and Definitions: hear from vs hear of

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Hear from

• 1. Receive a phone call, email, letter or other communication from someone.

  I haven't HEARD FROM them since we left university.

Hear of

• 1. Know of something or someone's existence.

  I've HEARD OF the band, but don't know their music.

• 2. Receive news, updates or information about someone.

  I have HEARD nothing OF them since they moved house.

• 3. In the negative, this can mean that someone refuse to accept, allow or acknowledge something.

  I said it would be a positive step, but she wouldn't HEAR OF it.

Usage Examples: hear from, hear of in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

hear from

Example

I hope to hear from her soon.

Example

He hears from his parents every week.

hear of

Example

I hear of a new restaurant opening in town.

Example

She hears of a famous actor visiting the city.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Hear from

get in touch with

To communicate with someone, usually by phone, email, or text message.

Example

I need to get in touch with my boss to discuss the new project deadline.

receive word from

To get a message or update from someone.

Example

I finally received word from my friend who had been traveling abroad for months.

hear back from

To receive a response or reply from someone after reaching out to them.

Example

I'm still waiting to hear back from the company about my job application.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Hear of

learn about

To gain knowledge or information about someone or something.

Example

I learned about the new restaurant from a friend who had eaten there before.

come across

To discover or encounter something or someone unexpectedly.

Example

I came across an interesting article about climate change while browsing the internet.

find out about

To discover or learn about something through research or investigation.

Example

I found out about the concert through the band's website and bought tickets right away.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “hear”

• hear of
• hear out
• hear about

Phrasal Verbs with “from”

• shrink from
• keep from
• hold back from
• stem from
• grow from

Phrasal Verbs with “of”

• steer clear of
• relieve of
• give of
• dream of
• smack of

Differences in hear from vs hear of: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: hear from or hear of?

In daily conversation, people use hear of more often than hear from. This is because we often hear about people or things indirectly through others. Hear from is used less frequently and usually in specific situations such as receiving a message or update from someone.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of hear from and hear of

Hear from and hear of are both informal phrases that are suitable for everyday conversations. However, hear of can be used in more formal settings such as news reports or academic writing.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of hear from and hear of

The tone of hear from and hear of can differ based on context. Hear from often carries a positive or neutral tone, especially when referring to hearing from someone you know or receiving good news. On the other hand, hear of can carry a negative or neutral tone, especially when referring to hearing about something bad or unfamiliar.

hear from & hear of: Synonyms and Antonyms

Hear from

Synonyms

• receive news
• get a message
• be contacted
• get in touch
• receive communication
• get an update

Antonyms

• lose contact
• not hear from
• no communication
• no news
• no update

Hear of

Synonyms

• discover
• know about
• be aware of
• learn about
• find out
• become acquainted with
• be informed of

Antonyms

• ignore
• overlook
• miss
• disregard
• unaware of
• uninformed about