What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
harkened
Example
I harkened to the sound of the birds chirping outside. [harkened: past tense]
Example
She harkened to her mother's advice and decided to study harder. [harkened: verb]
listen
Example
Please listen to me carefully. [listen: verb]
Example
He likes to listen to music while he works. [listen: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Listen is more commonly used than harkened in everyday language. Listen is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while harkened is less common and has a more formal connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between harkened and listen?
Harkened is more formal than listen. It is typically used in formal or literary contexts, while listen can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
