The spelling of the phrase "hear of" may be confusing for some, as the pronunciation does not match the expected spelling. The /h/ sound before the vowel sound /i/ is not typically pronounced. Instead, the sound is often represented with the spelling "ear" as in the word "ear," which is pronounced the same as "hear." In IPA phonetic transcription, the word "hear" is represented as /hɪr/ with the /h/ sound being silent. "Of" is pronounced as /ɒv/ with a short vowel sound.
Hear of is a phrasal verb which can have different meanings depending on the context. It generally refers to the act of becoming aware of or learning about something or someone. The term "hear of" is often used when someone comes across information indirectly, through communication or hearsay, rather than directly experiencing it themselves.
One possible definition of "hear of" could be the act of receiving information about a particular person, event, or topic from another individual or source. It implies that the information has reached your ears and you have become aware of it, even if you haven't directly witnessed or experienced it. For example, if someone says "I heard of a new restaurant opening in town," it means that the speaker has gained knowledge about this new establishment from someone else's account or by general word of mouth.
Another definition of "hear of" can be related to being familiar with or having some knowledge about a person or thing. This definition emphasizes having heard or learned about someone or something in the past, indicating a degree of acquaintance or familiarity. For instance, if you say "I've heard of Shakespeare," it implies that you are aware of the famous playwright and have some knowledge about his works, even if you haven't extensively studied them.
Overall, "hear of" serves as a versatile phrasal verb that represents the idea of learning or being informed about someone or something, either through indirect means or prior knowledge.
The phrase "hear of" consists of the verb "hear" and the preposition "of".
The verb "hear" originated from the Old English word "heran", which means to perceive with the ear, to listen, or to learn by hearing. It has Indo-European roots and can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "hauzjanan" and the Proto-Indo-European word "ḱḗu̯(s)eti".
On the other hand, the preposition "of" is derived from the Old English word "of", which has various meanings such as from, out of, concerning, or indicating possession. This word also has Indo-European origins and can be linked to the Proto-Germanic word "af" and the Proto-Indo-European word "apo".