Listen closely, now.

Meaning: This means to tell someone to pay close attention to the sounds coming from the piano at this moment. It's like saying, Pay careful attention to the music that is playing right now.

Choice of Words: Listen is a verb that means to pay attention to sounds or speech. Closely is an adverb that means in a careful or attentive manner. Now is an adverb that means at this time. These words together form a command to pay close attention to what is being played on the piano right now.

Alternative Expressions

Please pay attention.

Meaning: This means to ask someone to focus their mind on what you are saying. It's like saying, Please listen to me carefully.

Choice of Words: Please is a polite word used to ask for something. Pay means to give attention to something. Attention means to focus your mind on something. When you put them together, "Please pay attention" means to ask someone to focus their mind on what you are saying.

I need you to listen.

Meaning: This means that the speaker requires the listener to pay attention to what they are saying. It's like saying, I want you to listen to me.

Choice of Words: I is the person speaking. Need means to require something. You is the person being spoken to. Listen means to pay attention to what someone is saying. When you put them together, "I need you to listen" means that the speaker requires the listener to pay attention to what they are saying.

Related Expressions