The difference between Listen and Pay attention

When used as verbs, listen means to pay attention to a sound or speech, whereas pay attention means to attend.

check bellow for the other definitions of Listen and Pay attention

  1. Listen as a verb (intransitive):

    To pay attention to a sound or speech.

    Examples:

    "Please listen carefully as I explain.  nowrap I like to listen to music."

  2. Listen as a verb (intransitive):

    To expect or wait for a sound, such as a signal.

    Examples:

    "You should listen for the starting gun."

  3. Listen as a verb (intransitive):

    To accept advice or obey instruction; to agree or assent.

    Examples:

    "'Listen, the only reason I yelled at you was because nowrap I was upset, OK?  nowrap Good children listen to their parents."

  4. Listen as a verb (transitive, archaic):

    To hear (something or someone), to pay attention to.

  1. Pay attention as a verb (idiomatic, intransitive):

    To attend; to be attentive; to focus one's attention.

    Examples:

    "Please pay attention to the danger signs."

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