Listen VS Hear

Dear XamoYELA!

Aren't the words 'listen' and 'hear' the same thing? What's the difference?

Thanks,

Tom


Hi Tom!

Yes, both listen and hear mean that we understand 'noise' or 'sound', but there is a difference.

LISTEN means to pay attention to something or someone (or concentrate on).

e.g. I'm listening to you. (I am paying attention to what you are saying)

HEAR means to notice a sound.

e.g. I heard a loud thump! Something must have fallen down outside! (I noticed a sound.)

So, let's look at these sentences and clarify the difference a bit more:

 1. I listen to music.  (I concentrate on the sounds.)

 2. I hear the wind-chimes. (I am able to notice the sound)

This difference is the reason why we call the task of 'listening' when learning a foreign language 'Listening', because we pay attention to understand and concentrate on what we hear from the recording.

This difference is also why we call people who are hard of hearing 'hard of hearing', because it is difficult for them to notice sounds.

I hope I helped! :)

A @ xamoYELA

ANNOUNCEMENT

ANNOUNCEMENT

For the next 3 weeks Q and A Mondays will be held on Tuesdays!!

Stay tuned!

A @ xamoYELA! :)

affect VS effect

Dear xamoyela,
I'm having a hard time understanding the difference in the words 'affect' and 'effect'. Is there a difference?

Thanks!
Sam


Hi Sam!

These two word are very commonly confused! Even native speakers make mistakes when using them, which is why many believe that 'affect' is a verb and 'effect' is a noun. They are both verbs AND nouns!

Affect means "to influence" or "to produce an effect in." (See how 'effect' here is a noun?)

Effect means "consequence" or "that which is produced by (sth)." 

e.g.

The new law has affected us all.

The effect of the new law has made us all reconsider many things.

I do suppose you could use each differently (affect as a verb and effect as a noun) so it is easier to keep separate, but in the end, it shouldn't confuse you if you should see them used otherwise.

e.g.

The affect of the speech was shown in the way the audience reacted.

The new Director of Studies is bound to effect changes in the curriculum.

In the first case, affect means an observed or expressed response and in the second case, effect means to carry out.

I hope I've clarified the differences a little bit for you.

:)

A @ xamoyela

Inversions

Dear A @ xamoyela,

What is Inversion and what do we use it for?

Thanks,

Maria F.

Hi Maria F!

Well, we can use inversion after certain words and expressions for emphasis.

Inversion is formed by using an auxiliary verb + subject and is usually used in formal English.

For example,

Rarely do we see this much sunshine in winter.

Never have I heard such an interesting speech.

Not only did he lose all his money, but his car was stolen as well.

In the first case, instead of simply saying: ‘We rarely see this much sunshine in winter’ we use inversion and give emphasis to the word rarely by beginning with it.  

Rarely do we see this much sunshine in winter.

The same goes for the second sentence. We want to emphasize that I’ve NEVER heard something so interesting.

In the third instance we’re giving notice that there are more than one part that needs emphasis, so by starting with ‘Not only…’ the audience expects a two-part sentence.

Inversion is also possible after a complete clause beginning with only/after/by/when/if/not until.

For example

Not until John had spoken to her did he understand how she felt.

Only after they sell their house will they be able to move on.

Hope that helps!

Happy English and keep up the good work! :)

A

Idioms

Hi xamoyela blogspot!

I have 2 questions. I don't understand what these idioms mean:

1. to be 'against the clock'
2. to do something 'at the drop of a hat'

Thanks,
John T.


Hi John T.!

Those are great idioms!

Well, to be against the clock means that you are fighting with time... you don't have much time, so you have to rush, to be in a hurry.

e.g. He was heavily against the clock, but he managed to get all his work done in time.

Now, 'to do something at the drop of a hat', is a very nice visual idiom. How quickly does a hat fall off your head (if wind is blowing or if you give it a little tap)? 

The answer is: immediately. So if you do something at the drop of a hat, it means you do, whatever that may be, in an instant, immediately... straight away.

e.g. Mary: "Lisa, would you go out with George Clooney if he ever asked you?"

        Lisa: "George Clooney? I would! At the drop of a hat!"

Hope that helps! 

A:)

New Feature! New Label!

Hello eager English learners!

I am happy to announce a new feature on this blog, which is a Q and A section!

Yes, that's right! It's in your hands to get those lingering questions about English answered!! 

Questions may be about grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, culture -just about anything!

I will post the Question and Answer of one question every Monday and all Q and A's will be available for reference under the Q and A label.

So, let's get started!

E-mail questions to My Question (please state: Q and A in your e-mail subject title!) by clicking on the link 'My Question'.