Hear A to be

Hi,

Dou you think that hear can be used with to infinitives as in 1 and 2?

1. I heard him to be very foolish

2. I have heard them to be unwilling.

Yes. It's a rather stylish way to say -

I heard that he is very

Thank you for your reply.

Some native speakers say that they never say the sentences in 1 and 2.

Are the sentences awkward for you?

Thank you.

1. I heard him to be very foolish

2. I have heard them to be unwilling.

I don't use those at all; I agree wholeheartedly with Clive's versions. I don't think it works in active voice at all. It's more reasonable in passive voice:

He was heard to be quite angry.

He was seen to be rather silly.

Thank you for you help.

In the sentece, He was heard to be quite angry, does hear denote the same meaning as report?

If so, is it possible to replace to be with as?

He was heard as being quite angry.

cf.He was reported as being quite angry.

I am looking forward to your reply.

In the sentece, He was heard to be quite angry, does hear denote the same meaning as report?-- No, I think that is 'said to be' — which may be what I was thinking of in the first place.

If so, is it possible to replace to be with as?-- No.

He was heard as being quite angry.-- No good.

cf.He was reported a