What Is The Past Tense For Hear?
You may wonder whether the same holds true for “hear” in the modern language, given that “let” in the past tense is visually similar to its original verb.
What is the past tense of hear? Quick answer: The past tense of “hear” may be spelt as “heard” – H-E-A-R-D, yet the original form is written as “H-E-A-R.” Likewise, the past participle of hear is lookalike the past-simple one.
“Heared” is a grammatical error in English. We mean, do not confuse how to employ this word.
Check out other styles of this verb in the table below:
Base Form/To-infinitive (V1) | Hear |
Present Form (V2) | Hears |
Past Form (V3) | Heard |
Past Participle Form (V4) | Heard |
Present Participle/Gerund (V5) | Hearing |
After understanding its past tense, learn how to modify the verb hear in 12 tense verb forms or the verb conjugations. Both the active and passive voice verb structures are explained on this site.
Pronunciation: Hear In Past Tense
Refer to the Oxford English Dictionary for guidance on pronouncing this verb in the English language, including American and British accents. Look at the detailed verb tables below for some helpful spelling tips as well:
Form of word | Pronunciation | |
British English | American English | |
Hear | /hɪə(r)/ | /hɪr/ |
Hears | /hɪəz/ | /hɪrz/ |
Heard (V2+V3) | /hɜːd/ | /hɜːrd/ |
Hearing | /ˈhɪərɪŋ/ | /ˈhɪrɪŋ/ |
Definitions & Examples For “Hear”
Here comes a list of meanings and examples of this verb. Give it a quick check:
- To be aware of sounds with your ears.
- Linda heard some bad news from her ex-boyfriend.
- I have recently heard the latest news about this tragic accident.
- To draw attention or listen to something/somebody,
- Did you hear that play by Taylor Swift last night?
- Before meeting you, I had heard something about you.
- To be told about something.
- The student heard what the teacher had to say.
- My grandchildren had heard my stories sparingly before bedtime.
- To judge and listen to a case in court.
- Yesterday, the jury heard the evidence.
- The department had heard the announcement from the court since September.
Quick Practice With A Couple Of Lessons & Exercises For “Hear Past Simple”
FAQs
Is “Hear” An Irregular Verb?
Yes absolutely. It is an irregular verb, like the verb “breathe”.
Which Is Correct: Hear Heard, Or Heared?
As was just said, “hear” is the infinitive verb. The word “heared” does not appear in the English language. “Heard” is the proper form of “hear past tense”.
What Is The Synonym Of Hear?
There are a wide range of terms that can replace this verb. Here are some common words for you to employ:
Listen, descry, learn, understand, determine, eavesdrop, attend, gather, get, apprehend, overhear, receive, pick up, catch, discover, auscultate, find out, descry, devour.

His name is Benjamin Essek – The founder of Grammar Wiki. He is an English native speaker and has joined many English classes, learning communities to support other people with this common language as well.