Listen to emphasize action and listen to emphasize results.
I listened, but I heard nothing.
Hear usually means that some kind of sound "enters our ears". It means listening, but not necessarily consciously. ?
Suddenly, I heard a strange sound. ?
I suddenly heard a strange sound. ?
Can you hear me?
Can you hear me? ?
2.listen is used to show attention to the sound that keeps coming out. This word emphasizes concentration and wants to hear as clearly as possible. Even if you don't want to hear sound, you can hear it. But you can only consciously listen to certain sounds. Try to compare:
I heard them talking in the next room, but I didn't really hear what they were saying. ?
I heard them talking in the next room, but I really didn't listen to what they were saying. ?
Please listen carefully. ?
Please pay attention. ?
Could you speak a little louder? I can't hear you clearly. ?
Please turn up the volume, I can't hear you clearly. ?
I didn't hear the phone because I was listening to the radio. ?
I didn't hear the phone ring because I was listening to the radio. ?
3.listen (to) is mainly used to show that you are listening. If you want to say that you listened to a performance, speech, music program, radio and so on. From beginning to end, you usually use hear. Try to compare:
I was listening to brendel playing Beethoven's records when she arrived. ?
When she came, I was listening to a record, Beethoven played by brendel. ?
Can't say I heard ...?
I have heard brendel play all Beethoven's concertos. ?
Once, I heard brendel play all Beethoven's concertos. ?
I once heard Blandell play ...?
I wish I had more time to listen to the radio. ?
I wish I had more time to listen to the radio. ?
Can't you say listen to the radio?
Hear is usually not used in the progressive. What do you hear when you speak? Do you often use can hear, especially British English?
I heard someone coming. ?
I heard someone coming. (can't say I'm listening)
So it's best to use listen~ here ~