Here vs. Hear — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 12, 2023
"Here" refers to a location or presence. "Hear" is about perceiving sounds or listening.
Difference Between Here and Hear
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Here" and "Hear" are homophones in English, meaning they sound alike but have different meanings and uses. "Here" refers to a specific location or place. It can be used to indicate one's presence or to suggest a particular point in a discussion. For instance, one might say, "I am here at the mall," indicating their location. In contrast, "Hear" is related to the sense of sound, specifically the act of perceiving sound.
"Hear" can be used to indicate that someone has perceived a particular sound or is paying attention to what is being said. For example, someone might ask, "Did you hear that noise?" This is in stark contrast to "Here", which has nothing to do with the sense of hearing.
Additionally, "Here" and "Hear" belong to different parts of speech. "Here" is primarily an adverb, although it can be used as other parts of speech, such as a noun in certain contexts. On the other hand, "Hear" is a verb. So, while one might say, "The book is over here," using "here" to indicate location, one might also say, "I can't hear you," using "hear" as an action of listening.
It's essential to understand and differentiate between these two words to prevent misunderstandings. Both words play vital roles in the English language, but their purposes are distinct. While "Here" helps us navigate space and location, "Hear" connects us to the world of sound.
Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Primarily an adverb
Verb
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Definition
Indicates location or presence
Refers to perceiving sounds
Homophones
Yes
Yes
Usage in a Sentence
"Come here!"
"I can hear you."
Relation
Spatial, positional
Sensory, auditory
Compare with Definitions
Here
At this point or moment.
We'll stop the discussion here.
Hear
Perceive with the ear the sound made by (someone or something)
Behind her she could hear men's voices
She had never been heard to complain
He did not hear very well
Here
Indicating presence.
I am here for the meeting.
Hear
Be told or informed of
They heard that I had moved
I was shocked to hear of her death
Have you heard the news?
Here
Introducing a particular point.
Here is where I disagree.
Hear
Will or would not allow or agree to
I won't hear of such idiocy
Here
In, at, or to this place or position
We leave here today
They have lived here most of their lives
I'm getting out of here
Hear
To perceive (sound) by the ear
Can you hear the signal?.
Here
Used when introducing something or someone
Here's a dish that is quick to make
Hear
To learn by hearing; be told by others
I heard she got married.
Here
Used when indicating a time, point, or situation that has arrived or is happening
Here we encounter the main problem
Here is your opportunity
Hear
To listen to (something) attentively or in an official capacity, as in a court
Heard the last witness in the afternoon.
Here
Used to attract someone's attention
Here, let me hold it
Hear
To listen to and consider favorably
Lord, hear my prayer!.
Here
Indicating one's presence in a roll-call.
Hear
To attend or participate in
Hear Mass.
Here
At or in this place
Stop here for a rest.
Hear
To be capable of perceiving sound.
Here
At this time; now
We'll adjourn the meeting here and discuss remaining issues after lunch.
Hear
To receive news or information; learn
I heard about your accident.
Here
At or on this point, detail, or item
Here I must disagree.
Hear
To consider, permit, or consent to something. Used only in the negative
I won't hear of your going!.
Here
In the present life or condition.
Hear
To perceive sounds through the ear.
I was deaf, and now I can hear.
Here
To this place; hither
Come here, please.
Hear
To perceive (a sound, or something producing a sound) with the ear, to recognize (something) in an auditory way.
I heard a sound from outside the window.
Here
Used especially for emphasis after the demonstrative pronoun this or these, or after a noun modified by the demonstrative adjective this or these
This tire here is flat.
Hear
(transitive) To exercise this faculty intentionally; to listen to.
Here
(Nonstandard) Used for emphasis between the demonstrative adjective this or these and a noun
This here tire is flat.
Hear
(transitive) To listen favourably to; to grant (a request etc.).
Eventually the king chose to hear her entreaties.
Here
Used to respond to a roll call, attract attention, command an animal, or rebuke, admonish, or concur.
Hear
(transitive) To receive information about; to come to learn of.
Here
This place
"It would be difficult from here, with the certainty of armed gunmen inside, to bring him out alive" (Howard Kaplan).
Hear
(with from) To be contacted by.
Here
The present time or state
We are living in the here and can only speculate about the hereafter.
Hear
To listen to (a person, case) in a court of law; to try.
Your case will be heard at the end of the month.
Here
Variant of Hera.
Hear
To sympathize with; to understand the feelings or opinion of.
You're tired of all the ads on TV? I hear ya.
Here
(location) In, on, or at this place.
You wait here while I fetch my coat.
Flu season is here.
Ms. Doe is not here at the moment.
Hear
To study under.
Here
(location) To this place; used in place of the more dated hither.
Please come here.
Hear
You hear me
Here
(abstract) In this context.
Derivatives can refer to anything that is derived from something else, but here they refer specifically to functions that give the slope of the tangent line to a curve.
Hear
To perceive by the ear; to apprehend or take cognizance of by the ear; as, to hear sounds; to hear a voice; to hear one call.
Lay thine ear close to the ground, and list if thou canst hear the tread of travelers.
He had been heard to utter an ominous growl.
Here
At this point in the argument, narration, or other, usually written, work.
Here endeth the lesson.
Hear
To give audience or attention to; to listen to; to heed; to accept the doctrines or advice of; to obey; to examine; to try in a judicial court; as, to hear a recitation; to hear a class; the case will be heard to-morrow.
Here
(abstract) This place; this location.
An Alzheimer patient's here may in his mind be anywhere he called home in the time he presently re-lives.
Here is where I met my spouse twelve years ago.
Hear
To attend, or be present at, as hearer or worshiper; as, to hear a concert; to hear Mass.
Here
(abstract) This time, the present situation. en
Hear
To give attention to as a teacher or judge.
Thy matters are good and right, but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.
I beseech your honor to hear me one single word.
Here
Filler after a noun or demonstrative pronoun, solely for emphasis.
John here is a rascal.
Hear
To accede to the demand or wishes of; to listen to and answer favorably; to favor.
I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice.
They think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
Here
Filler after a demonstrative pronoun but before the noun it modifies, solely for emphasis.
This here orange is too sour.
Hear
To have the sense or faculty of perceiving sound.
Here
(slang) Used semi-assertively to offer something to the listener.
Here, now I'm giving it to you.
Hear
To use the power of perceiving sound; to perceive or apprehend by the ear; to attend; to listen.
So spake our mother Eve, and Adam heard,Well pleased, but answered not.
Here
Used for emphasis at the beginning of a sentence when expressing an opinion or want.
Here, I'm tired and I want a drink.
Hear
To be informed by oral communication; to be told; to receive information by report or by letter.
I have heard, sir, of such a man.
I must hear from thee every day in the hour.
Hear him, . . . a cry indicative, according to the tone, of admiration, acquiescence, indignation, or derision.
Here
Hair.
Hear
Perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
Here
See Her, their.
Hear
Get to know or become aware of, usually accidentally;
I learned that she has two grown-up children
I see that you have been promoted
Here
Her; hers. See Her.
Hear
Examine or hear (evidence or a case) by judicial process;
The jury had heard all the evidence
The case will be tried in California
Here
In this place; in the place where the speaker is; - opposed to there.
He is not here, for he is risen.
Hear
Receive a communication from someone;
We heard nothing from our son for five years
Here
In the present life or state.
Happy here, and more happy hereafter.
Hear
Listen and pay attention;
Listen to your father
We must hear the expert before we make a decision
Here
To or into this place; hither. [Colloq.] See Thither.
Here comes Virgil.
Thou led'st me here.
Hear
To perceive with the ear.
Did you hear that thunder?
Here
At this point of time, or of an argument; now.
The prisoner here made violent efforts to rise.
Hear
To be informed of.
I hear he's moving to Boston.
Here
The present location; this place;
Where do we go from here?
Hear
To listen to with attention.
Hear me out before you decide.
Here
Queen of the Olympian gods in ancient Greek mythology; sister and wife of Zeus remembered for her jealously of the many mortal women Zeus fell in love with; identified with Roman Juno
Hear
To attend or be present at.
She will hear the case.
Here
Being here now;
Is everyone here?
Present company excepted
Here
In or at this place; where the speaker or writer is;
I work here
Turn here
Radio waves received here on Earth
Here
In this circumstance or respect or on this point or detail;
What do we have here?
Here I must disagree
Here
To this place (especially toward the speaker);
Come here, please
Here
At this time; now;
We'll adjourn here for lunch and discuss the remaining issues this afternoon
Here
Indicating a specific location.
The keys are here on the table.
Here
Used to attract attention.
Hey, over here!
Common Curiosities
Is "Here" always about a physical location?
Mostly, but it can also indicate a point in discussion.
Do "Here" and "Hear" sound the same?
Yes, they are homophones in English.
How can I remember the difference between "Here" and "Hear"?
Think of "Hear" with "ear" inside it, relating to sound.
Can "Here" be used to describe sound?
No, "Here" describes location or presence, not sound.
Can "Hear" be used to describe location?
No, "Hear" is about perceiving sounds.
Is "Here" a noun or a verb?
"Here" is primarily an adverb but can be a noun in contexts like "from here to there."
Can you "Hear" a color?
No, "Hear" is related to sound, not sight.
Can "Here" indicate a point in time?
Yes, as in "Stop here," indicating a moment.
Is "Hear" always about the act of listening?
Mostly, but it can also mean being informed about something.
What part of speech is "Hear"?
"Hear" is primarily a verb.
Can animals "Hear" better than humans?
Some animals, like dogs, have a heightened sense of hearing compared to humans.
Is it common to confuse "Here" and "Hear"?
Yes, due to their similar pronunciation.
How is "Here" used in formal writing?
It can indicate location, presence, or introduce a point, depending on context.
Is "Hear" always about actual sound?
Primarily, but it can also imply being informed or understanding a point.
What's the opposite of "Here"?
Often "there" is the opposite in terms of location.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
