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Prepositions with nouns

Which prepositions are used with “hearing”?

The noun “hearing” takes different prepositions depending on meaning. Common patterns include hearing of something, a hearing on a topic, and a hearing for a candidate or case.

Quick answer

Common prepositions with “hearing”

Use hearing of for receiving news or information, hearing on for the topic of an official meeting, and hearing for a legal or administrative case or applicant. Hearing to is uncommon with the noun and usually belongs to another structure such as listen to or object to. In hearing is possible as a place expression in legal contexts.

We were shocked at hearing of the accident.
The committee held a hearing on climate policy.
She attended a hearing for her visa appeal.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
hearing of + news/event

Receiving information about something

Use hearing of when someone learns or becomes aware of news, events, or people.

He was upset after hearing of the resignation.
2
hearing on + topic

Official discussion about a subject

Use hearing on for the subject of a public, legal, or parliamentary hearing.

The senate scheduled a hearing on transport safety.
3
hearing for + case/person

Legal or administrative review

Use hearing for when the hearing concerns a specific case, application, or person.

The court arranged a hearing for the custody dispute.
4
in hearing

Location within hearing distance

In hearing is rare and usually means within hearing range in formal or literary English.

They avoided discussing the matter while the children were in hearing.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
hearing of
I remember hearing of that musician years ago.
learning or becoming aware of someone or something
hearing on
There will be a hearing on housing reform tomorrow.
an official session about a topic
hearing for
She requested a hearing for her complaint.
a formal review connected to a case or request
hearing to
The noun pattern “hearing to” is not standard in current English.
usually replaced by another structure such as listen to

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using “hearing to” as a noun pattern

The noun hearing normally does not take to directly.

✕ a hearing to the proposal ✓ a hearing on the proposal

Confusing “hearing of” with “hearing about”

Both are possible, but hearing of is more common for becoming aware of something.

✕ I was surprised at hearing about him for the first time ✓ I was surprised at hearing of him for the first time

Using “on” for a person instead of a topic

Use hearing for a person or case, and hearing on for a subject.

✕ a hearing on her visa appeal ✓ a hearing for her visa appeal

Treating “in hearing” as the main noun pattern

In hearing refers to physical range, not the topic or purpose of a hearing.

✓ Stay out of hearing if you want privacy

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The committee held a hearing ___ education funding.
2. I was shocked at hearing ___ the company closure.
3. She requested a hearing ___ her appeal.

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Frequently asked questions

Is “hearing of” the same as “hearing about”?

They are close in meaning. Hearing of is slightly more formal and often refers to becoming aware of something for the first time.

Can I say “a hearing to a case”?

No. Use a hearing for a case or a hearing on a topic.

What does “in hearing” mean?

It means within hearing distance, usually in formal or literary contexts.

of, about, against, to or for racism? of, about, for, in or on friendship? of, about, for, on or to thing? of, about, for, to or with sex? of, about, on, to or for moon? "of access" or "with access"? "of accommodation" or "for accommodation"? "of accuracy" or "for accuracy"? "of action" or "in action"? "of actor", "with actor" or "by actor"? "of address" or "to address"? "of administration" or "in administration"?

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