[Vocabulary] Hear OF vs hear ABOUT difference

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Monopium

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dear Teachers, could you explain to me the difference between hear about/of. Do these prepositions really make sense when used? I mean there are many of them that I'm confused about (for ex. care of-care about)

Many thanks,
Veronika
 

BobK

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Try a dictionary ;-) Generally, when you hear about something you find out the details; when you hear of something you learn that it exists.

Examples:

'Have you heard about Julie and John?'
'I knew they were an item now. But tell me all about it.'


But:

'Have you heard of the Beast of Bodmin?'
'No, I've never heard of it.'


b
 

TheParser

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dear Teachers, could you explain to me the difference between hear about/of. Do these prepositions really make sense when used? I mean there are many of them that I'm confused about (for ex. care of-care about)

Many thanks,
Veronika


NOT A TEACHER


(1) The moderator has given us some excellent examples.


(2) Here is an interesting example that you may like to know:

A friend, who lives in another city, comes to visit you for a week.

You meet her at the airport. You drive her to your home where

she has dinner with you and your family.

Your friend: It's been wonderful seeing all of you. I think that

I had better leave now in order to find a hotel for the week.

Your husband: We wouldn't hear of it. We insist that you stay

here. Our oldest son has just left for college, so you can stay in

his bedroom. (We wouldn't hear of it. = We refuse to agree to

your staying in a hotel.)

*****


And two examples to illustrate the moderator's excellent

definitions:

George: I come from a very, very little country called ____. It's

located on the continent of _____. Only 5,000,000 people live there.

Have you ever heard of it?

Martha: I certainly have heard of it ( = recognize the name). And I have heard

about it, too!!!

George: What do you mean?

Martha: I have heard that the women in your country go to work, and

it's the men who stay home and take care of the children!!!


Respectfully yours,


James
 
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Monopium

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NOT A TEACHER


(1) The moderator has given us some excellent examples.


(2) Here is an interesting example that you may like to know:

A friend, who lives in another city, comes to visit you for a week.

You meet her at the airport. You drive her to your home where

she has dinner with you and your family.

Your friend: It's been wonderful seeing all of you. I think that

I had better leave now in order to find a hotel for the week.

Your husband: We wouldn't hear of it. We insist that you stay

here. Our oldest son has just left for college, so you can stay in

his bedroom. (We wouldn't hear of it. = We refuse to agree to

your staying in a hotel.)

*****


And two examples to illustrate the moderator's excellent

definitions:

George: I come from a very, very little country called ____. It's

located on the continent of _____. Only 5,000,000 people live there.

Have you ever heard of it?

Martha: I certainly have heard of it ( = recognize the name). And I have heard

about it, too!!!

George: What do you mean?

Martha: I have heard that the women in your country go to work, and

it's the men who stay home and take care of the children!!!


Respectfully yours,


James
Thanks, James! it´s always helpful to get to the rules through some good examples))
 

AlexAD

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In addition I would say that there is the unit in Murphy's book dedicated to this topic. It also gives us some 'easy-to-understand' examples.
 
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