The verbs "hear" and "listen" both relate to receiving sound, but they have distinct meanings. "Hear" implies a passive reception of sound; it just happens. "Listen," on the other hand, suggests an active and conscious effort to understand or pay attention to a sound. Think of it this way: you hear sounds all around you constantly, but you only listen when you choose to focus on a particular sound.

Here are some example sentences to illustrate the difference:

• Hear: I heard a bird singing outside my window. (Passive; the sound simply reached my ears.)

• Listen: I listened carefully to the instructions. (Active; I made a conscious effort to understand the instructions.)

• Hear: I could hear the waves crashing against the shore. (Passive; the sound was present.)

• Listen: Listen to your teacher carefully; the exam is tomorrow. (Active; the instruction emphasizes concentrating on what the teacher is saying.)

• Hear: Did you hear that loud bang? (Passive; the sound was unexpected and involuntary.)

• Listen: Listen! There is a knock at the door! (Active; the sound requires attention and immediate reaction.)

Notice that "listen" often involves a degree of concentration and intention. You can "hear" something without even realizing it, but you can only "listen" when you actively try to make sense of the sound.

Happy learning!