Understanding the Difference Between Heard and Herd: Definitions, Usage, and Memory Tricks

Difference Between “Heard” and “Herd”

History of the Words

The word “heard” comes from Old English “hīerd,” which means to listen. It is the past tense of the verb “hear.”

The word “herd” also comes from Old English “heord,” which means a group of animals. It is a noun.

How to Use “Heard”

“Heard” is used when you have listened to sounds or words. It is the past form of “hear.”

Examples of “Heard”

1. I heard a bird sing this morning.
2. She heard the teacher talking in class.
3. We heard the news on the radio.
4. He heard you call his name.
5. They heard the music from the party.

How to Use “Herd”

“Herd” is used to talk about a group of animals or people. It is a noun, often for animals like cows or elephants.

Examples of “Herd”

1. We saw a herd of elephants at the zoo.
2. A herd of sheep was walking across the field.
3. The herd of cows is in the barn now.
4. There is a herd of deer in the forest.
5. The farmer looked after the herd carefully.

Trick to Remember the Difference

Think of “heard” as close to “ear” because you hear with your ears. Remember “herd” with “herbivore,” as animals often eat plants in groups.

Summary of Usage

“Heard” is used when talking about listening or sounds.

“Herd” is used when talking about a group of animals.