Prepositions · CEFR A1
“Listen music” or “listen to music”?
Incorrect
listen music
Correct
listen to music
Say “listen to music”. When listen has an object, it always needs to: listen to the radio, listen to me. Without an object, no to: “Listen!”
The rule
listen to + object: “I listen to podcasts on the bus.”
listen alone: “Please listen carefully.”
Hear does not take to: “I can hear music.” Hear is about sound reaching you; listen is about paying attention.
Examples
✗ I like listen music.
✓ I like listening to music.
✗ Listen me, please.
✓ Listen to me, please.
✗ She listens the radio every morning.
✓ She listens to the radio every morning.
Why learners make this mistake
Spanish escuchar música, Portuguese ouvir música and German Musik hören all take a direct object.
Remember
Listen TO - just like look AT. Hear and see need nothing.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it “listen at” or “listen to”?
- Always “listen to”.
Last updated