To learn of/about & Hear about
 

Hi

I would like to know which verb is more correct in this context:

1) I am so sorry to hear about your grandfather's illness.

2) I am so sorry to learn about/of ...


Is it also possible to use 'to find out' here?


Thanks for your help!

Re: To learn of/about & Hear about
 

Both 1 +2 are fine, Ana Laura. learn about sounds a little bit more formal to me, that's all, and so does using "of" with either verb. I'd generally go for hear about.

I'd only use "find out" though if for example everyone else had known about it for ages and I'd missed the news. And I don't think I'd use it in the apology, but as an explanation for not saying anything earlier. It happened to me a while back that I'd been pestering someone to do something, not realising they were in the middle of a really bad situation. When someone told me, my apology went something like : John, I've just heard about your mother's illness. I'm really sorry I've been nagging you to do XXX - I didn't know what was going on. I only found out this morning.

Hope that helps.