don't/can't

[GUEST2008]

Hi

I don't hear you/I can't hear you.

Are both OK? Is one better than the other?

 

[5jj]

'I can't hear you' is the natural, normal one.

 

[GUEST2008]

Isn't "I don't hear you" an AmE version?

 

[JohnParis]

Hi

I don't hear you/I can't hear you.

Are both OK? Is one better than the other? This is a good question, and I personally think that one is better than the other.

Guest2008: Fill in the blank with either can't or don't:

I ______ hear you because I'm deaf.

John

 

[GUEST2008]

I can't hear you beacuse I'm deaf (that's what I would say). Actually I was just curious whether both forms are correct.

 

[Barb_D]

It would require a specific set of circumstances for "I don't hear you" to work. As said above, "I can't hear you" is the normal form.

 

[GUEST2008]

It would require a specific set of circumstances for "I don't hear you" to work.

Can you imagine any such circumstances?

 

[JohnParis]

I can't hear you beacuse I'm deaf (that's what I would say). Actually I was just curious whether both forms are correct.

You're absolutely correct and for the reasons 5jj and Barb_D have given.

John

 

[5jj]

Can you imagine any such circumstances?

A: I was in the pub last night. It was full of Poles, Not an English person there. They should stay in their own country.
B: I don't hear you complaining about Poles when you need a plumber.

Since Poland became a member of the EU, Polish plumbers working in England have acquired a much better reputation for reliability than their British counterparts.

 

[GUEST2008]

A: I was in the pub last night. It was full of Poles, Not an English person there. They should stay in their own country.
B: I don't hear you complaining about Poles when you need a plumber.

Since Poland became a member of the EU, Polish plumbers working in England have acquired a much better reputation for reliability than their British counterparts.

Now it's perfectly clear. Thanks.

 

[aburosse]

I can't hear you, please speak loudly
I didn't hear you, please say it again
Am I right teachers?

 

[JohnParis]

uhmm...sounds good to me !

 

[M.Andrew]

You got it, Aburosse.

Those are often both used for the same situation though.

"I can't hear you" is referring to right now, so technically whatever is preventing you from hearing the person would prevent you from hearing him again.

So maybe: "I can't hear you (because of the this loud train), I'll call you back in a minute (when I can hear you)."