What are the definitions of “hear about”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Get to know some information.
Have you HEARD ABOUT the company takeover?
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “hear about”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb hear about is to learn or receive information about something, usually through someone else or from a source like the news or social media.
What are the different verb forms of “hear about”?
| Root Verb | hear about |
| Third Person Singular Present | hears about |
| Present Participle | hearing about |
| Simple Past | heard about |
| Past Participle | heard about |
Example
Did you hear about the new restaurant that opened in town?
Example
She always hears about the latest gossip from her friends.
Example
I am hearing about this issue for the first time.
Example
We heard about the concert from a flyer on the street.
Example
They had already heard about the sale before it was announced.
What kind of phrasal verb is “hear about”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Intransitive verb
“hear about” is an intransitive phrasal verb because it doesn't require an object to complete its meaning. It forms a complete sentence without an object.
Example
I heard about the new movie from a friend.
Example
She heard about the job opening through an online posting.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“hear about” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
I heard about the new movie from a friend.
Example
She heard about the job opening through an online posting.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “hear about”?
Good things to know
Does “hear about” have an informal or formal tone?
Hear about is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal contexts. It is commonly used in everyday conversations, as well as in more formal settings like business meetings or news reports.
