The verb to hear · Conjugation
Past Simple of hear
The answer: heard
A2
A finished action at a definite time in the past.
Quick answer
The Past Simple of the verb to hear is heard.
Example: I heard a strange noise last night.
Full conjugation in the Past Simple
| Pronoun | Form |
|---|---|
| I | heard |
| You | heard |
| He / She / It | heard |
| We | heard |
| You (pl.) | heard |
| They | heard |
Common mistakes to avoid
1. Heard pronounced /hɪəd/ ❌
Not /hɪəd/! The vowel changes: hear /hɪə/ → heard /hɜːd/ (like bird).
2. Heared ❌
Hear is an irregular verb. Its Past Simple is heard, never heared.
3. I listened the radio ❌
Hear = to notice a sound, without trying. Listen = to pay attention on purpose, and it needs to before its object: I listened to the radio. Don't mix up the two verbs.
Practice quiz
Going further
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Frequently asked questions
What is the past tense of hear?+
The Past Simple of hear is heard (pronounced /hɜːd/), the same for every person. The past participle is the same: heard.
Does heard rhyme with bird?+
Yes. Heard is pronounced /hɜːd/, like bird and word. It does not sound like hear (/hɪə/).
Hear or listen: what is the difference?+
Hear = your ears notice a sound, without trying. Listen = you pay attention on purpose. I hear the music in the background. I'm listening to the radio.
Is it didn't hear or didn't heard?+
Say didn't hear: I didn't hear you. After didn't, use the base form → hear.
Is heared a word?+
No. Hear is irregular: its Past Simple is heard, never heared. Remember the pronunciation: /hɜːd/.
Related pages: hear Past Simple
Pages on a similar topic or with a similar use, so you can keep exploring.
Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 12 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/verbs/hear/past-simple
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.
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More forms of the verb to hear are coming soon.