hear about the news

Meaning

This phrase means to receive information or updates about a recent event, development, or announcement. It is often used to initiate a conversation about current events, local gossip, or important life updates of mutual friends.

Examples

• Did you hear about the news? They are finally building a new park downtown.

  Did you hear about the news? They are finally building a new park downtown.

• I was shocked when I heard about the news of their sudden wedding.

  I was shocked when I heard about the news of their sudden wedding.

• We first heard about the news on the radio during our morning commute.

  We first heard about the news on the radio during our morning commute.

• Everyone at the office was talking, so it was hard not to hear about the news.

  Everyone at the office was talking, so it was hard not to hear about the news.

• As soon as I hear about the news regarding the job opening, I will let you know.

  As soon as I hear about the news regarding the job opening, I will let you know.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I heard about the news by my friend.

  ✓ I heard about the news from my friend.

  Use the preposition 'from' to indicate the source of information or the person who told you, not 'by'.

• ✗ Did you hear about news?

  ✓ Did you hear about the news?

  'News' is a specific mass noun here referring to a particular event or update, so it requires the definite article 'the'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Did you ___? The company is moving to a bigger office next month.

  💡 receive information about the recent update

  Show answer

  hear about the news

• I was so busy yesterday that I didn't ___ until this morning.

  💡 get updates about what happened

  Show answer

  hear about the news