What's the Difference Between 'Hear' and 'Here'?
In this blog post we look at when to use hear and when to use here.
'Hear' or 'Here'?
"Hear" and "here" are two words that are commonly confused as they are homonyms, meaning they are pronounced in the same way.
However, they have different meanings and functions, and it is important to understand the difference between them in order to use them correctly.
"Hear" is a verb that means to perceive sound or to listen to something. It refers to the act of receiving and processing sound waves through the ears.
For example, "I can hear the music from upstairs" or "He heard a noise in the middle of the night."
It is used to indicate that someone has perceived something audibly or through their sense of hearing.
"Here" is an adverb that refers to the location of the speaker or writer.
It can be used to indicate physical proximity, as in "I am here," or to indicate the existence or presence of something, as in "Here is your book."
It can also be used as an interjection, as in "Here, let me help you with that." It is used to point out or indicate a place or location.
It is important to note that while "hear" and "here" are not synonyms, they can be used in similar contexts, such as "Can you hear me?" and "Are you here?"
In summary, "hear" refers to the act of perceiving sound and "here" refers to a place or location, and it's important to use them correctly in context.
Examples of "hear" and "here" in different contexts:
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"Can you hear the music playing?" - In this sentence, "hear" is used as a verb, referring to the act of listening to and perceiving sound. The speaker is asking if the person they are talking to can hear the music that is playing.
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"I am here to help you" - In this sentence, "here" is used as an adverb, indicating the physical location of the speaker. The speaker is saying that they are currently in the same place as the person they are talking to and they are available to help.
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"He heard a noise in the middle of the night" - In this sentence, "hear" is used as a verb, referring to the act of listening to and perceiving sound. The subject of the sentence, "he" heard a noise, and that action happened in the past.
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"Here are your keys" - In this sentence, "here" is used as an adverb, indicating the presence of something. The speaker is giving the keys to the person they are talking to, and by using "here" they are pointing out that the keys are physically present and available for the person to take.
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"I'll be here waiting for you" - In this sentence, "here" is used as an adverb, indicating the physical location of the speaker. The speaker is saying that they will be in the same place and they will wait for the person they are talking to.
Examples of Hear in a Sentence
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I can't hear you, can you speak louder?
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I heard the news and was shocked.
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I'm sorry, I didn't hear what you said.
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I'll make sure to listen carefully and hear what you have to say.
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I heard a noise outside and went to check.
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I can hardly hear the music over the noise of the crowd.
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I heard the call of the birds in the morning.
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I want to hear more about your trip.
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I always hear great things about that restaurant.
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I heard that the concert has been cancelled.
Examples of Here in a Sentence
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I'm here to pick up my package.
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The store is located here on Main Street.
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I'll be here waiting for you when you're ready.
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I wish you were here to enjoy this beautiful view with me.
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She said she would be here in five minutes.
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Let's sit here and eat our lunch.
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I can't find my keys, did you see them here?
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The party is going to be held here in this room.
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Here is your change, thank you for shopping with us.
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I'm happy to be here with you today.
