Should it be “Hear” or “Listen to”?

Oftentimes, people use these two words interchangeably and end up misusing them.

For instance, look at this sentence:

1. * Let’s hear some music.

When we just want to say that sounds come to our ears, we use the verb hear. Listen to suggests that we are concentrating, paying attention, trying to hear as well as possible. Note, however, that if listen is followed by an object, the preposition to must be used. Look at these sentences:

2. I entered the room and sat on the bed; suddenly, I heard a strange noise.
3. Can you hear anything?
4. Listen carefully; if you hear your name, go into that Black Maria.
5. Darling, let’s listen to some music.

Note, however, that we use hear when we talk about experiencing musical performances, radio broadcasts, talks, lectures, etc:

6. Did you hear the President’s speech?
7. My wife and the home-help say they heard Lagbaja play Lili Bolero last night.
8. I spent the whole holiday listening to jazz

Not *I spent the whole holiday hearing jazz.

Credit: Basic English: “A trouble-shooting approach” by Adeleke A. Fakoya