Heard vs Herd
What’s the difference between them?
Heard
Meaning:
Heard: past tense of 'hear' (to perceive sound through the ear).
Examples:
1. I heard your voice in the hall.
2. Have you heard the latest news?
3. I heard a loud bang outside.
Herd
Meaning:
A herd is a group of animals that stay together, typically for purposes of protection, feeding, and reproduction.
Examples:
1. The herd of cows slowly made their way down the path.
2. The herders rounded up the sheep into the herd.
3. A large herd of bison could be seen on the horizon.
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
Heard
1. Perceived
2. Overheard
3. Listened to
4. Discerned
5. Caught wind of
1. Unheard
2. Ignored
3. Muffled
4. Unnoticed
5. Silenced
Herd
1. Flock
2. Drove
3. Congregation
4. Multitude
5. Assemblage
1. Individual
2. Isolate
3. Disperse
4. Separate
5. Disunite
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "Heard", "Herd".
1. 'Heard' comes to your ears, 'herd' comes to your eyes.
2. When referring to the act of listening, use 'heard'.
3. To describe a group of mammals, use 'herd'.
Practice English with the Promova app and avoid misusing confusing words
Frequently asked questions
When should 'heard' be used?
'Heard' is the past tense of 'hear,' and is typically used when referring to something that has already happened. For example, 'I heard that you got a promotion' or 'I heard your good news.' It can also be used to indicate that you understand something. For example, 'I heard what you said.'
When is the appropriate context for using 'herd'?
'Herd' is usually used to refer to a large group of animals that move or stay together. For example, 'I saw a herd of zebras while I was on safari.' It's also used more generally to refer to a group of people or things that are all similar. For example, 'The students formed a herd and moved towards the cafeteria.'
Do the two words share the same pronunciation?
No, the two words do not share the same pronunciation. 'Heard' is pronounced with a long 'e' at the end like 'bird', while 'herd' is pronounced with a short 'e' at the end.
What are some common mistakes people make when using these words?
One of the most common mistakes people make is using 'herd' instead of 'heard.' This is because they sound similar, but they have different meanings and pronunciations. Another mistake is using 'heard' when referring to a group of animals. In this context, 'herd' should be used instead.
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. The farmer kept a small ____ of cows on his land.
2. The hunter ____ the sound of the elk in the distance.
3. We had ____ of the news before it was officially released.
4. The sheep ____ed around the meadow, looking for food.
5. I ____ the story of the fabulous treasure from my grandmother.
6. The ____ of wildebeest moved steadily across the plain.
1. The farmer kept a small herd of cows on his land.
Explanation: The correct word choice is herd which is a large group of animals of the same species that live together. This is the appropriate choice because it implies that the farmer is not simply keeping one or two cows, but a group of cows together on his land.
2. The hunter heard the sound of the elk in the distance.
Explanation: The correct word choice is heard which means to perceive sound with the ear. This is the appropriate choice because it implies that the hunter used his sense of sound to detect the elk in the distance.
3. We had heard of the news before it was officially released.
Explanation: The correct word choice is heard which means to have received information through verbal communication or to have become aware of something. This is the appropriate choice because it implies that the group was already aware of the news before it was officially released.
4. The sheep herded around the meadow, looking for food.
Explanation: The correct word choice is herded which means to gather animals together into a group. This is the appropriate choice because it implies that the sheep are grouped together as a collective and are moving in a certain direction together to look for food.
5. I heard the story of the fabulous treasure from my grandmother.
Explanation: The correct word choice is heard which means to have received information through verbal communication or to have become aware of something. This is the appropriate choice because it implies that the narrator is being told the story by their grandmother and is not simply overhearing the story elsewhere.
6. The herd of wildebeest moved steadily across the plain.
Explanation: The correct word choice is herd which is a large group of animals of the same species that live together. This is the appropriate choice because it implies that there is a large group of wildebeest that are moving together across the plain.
Get a gift by subscribing to our newsletter!
Download the PDF with a list of commonly confused words made as flashcards for comfortable learning.
List of Commonly Confused Words
Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.