Meaning
to pay attention with your ears; to follow advice
Primary Function
describes auditory attention or heeding
Communicative Purpose
to instruct, narrate, or request attention
Pattern
listen to
Core Structure
listen to
Função primária
describes auditory attention or heeding
Propósito comunicativo
to instruct, narrate, or request attention
Situações de gatilho
conversation, instructions, media
Contextos
everyday, professional
Padrão
listen to
Estrutura central
listen to
Slots de substituição
[music/teacher/podcast]
Colocados típicos
- carefully
- intently
- attentively
- rarely listen to
- stop and listen up
Substituições comuns
- hear (transitive without to)
- pay attention to
Erros comuns
using *listen someone (without to); confusing with ‘hear’
Similar / contraste
hear, pay attention to, heed
Interferências
many languages use transitive verb; learners often omit ‘to’
Família do chunk
- hear
- pay attention to
- heed
- eavesdrop on
Nuance
‘listen to’ is intentional; ‘hear’ is accidental perception
Efeito pragmático
shows willingness to engage or follow
Dica de memória
Listen to me
Nota
Listen to is a semi-fixed colligation that emphasizes intentional auditory attention. It is used to instruct, narrate, or request attention in both everyday and professional contexts. The chunk is marked for automatic production due to its high frequency and practical utility in communication. Learners should be aware of the common mistake of omitting the preposition 'to' and the nuance that distinguishes 'listen to' from 'hear'.
Upgrade path
use ‘heed’ for formal advice, ‘tune in to’ for metaphorical listening
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