I loved reading

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I loved reading" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to express enjoyment or passion for the activity of reading. Example: "I loved reading novels during my summer vacation." Alternative expressions include "I enjoyed reading" and "I was fond of reading."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I loved reading.

The Guardian - Opinion

I loved reading Fun Home.

The Guardian - Books

But I loved reading about it.

The New Yorker

I loved reading about Rasputin, whom no bullet could kill".

The Guardian - Books

I loved reading books and the sustenance of new ideas.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

From the time I was a schoolboy, I loved reading.

The Guardian - Music

I wrote historical fiction because I loved reading historical fiction".

The Guardian - Books

I loved reading Anne Lamott's By the Book interview (Nov. 25).

The New York Times - Books

"I had found two things that I loved, reading and writing," he told me.

The New York Times - Magazine

As a fact-checker from the mid-70s, I loved reading Heffernan's Aug. 22 column.

The New York Times

"I loved reading 'Anne of Green Gables' and 'Little Women' and Jane Austen," she said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase with specific examples or details about the book or topic to make your sentiment more convincing and engaging.

Common error

While perfectly correct, in professional literary criticism, simply saying you "loved" a book can be seen as subjective. Balance this emotional statement with analytical verbs like "I appreciated the narrative structure" or "I valued the author's perspective" to add depth.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I loved reading" serves as a declarative statement. It consists of the first-person subject followed by a transitive verb in the past tense and a gerund phrase acting as the direct object. In the contexts provided by Ludwig, it often introduces a personal anecdote or sets the stage for a book recommendation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I loved reading" is a widely accepted and perfectly grammatical expression used to denote a strong past preference or enjoyment of the act of reading. According to Ludwig AI and the data analyzed, it is exceptionally common in high-quality publications like The New York Times and The Guardian. It is most frequently used in personal narratives and book reviews to establish a relatable and passionate tone. While synonymous with alternatives like "<a href="/s/I+enjoyed+reading" target="_blank" rel="alternative">I enjoyed reading", it carries a more significant emotional weight. Whether you are discussing a childhood hobby or a specific article that changed your perspective, "I loved reading" remains a standard and powerful choice for English writers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I enjoyed reading

Offers a slightly more neutral and common alternative to loved.

I liked reading

A simpler, lower-intensity version of the same sentiment.

I adored reading

Conveys a stronger, almost emotional attachment to the activity.

I relished reading

Suggests a deeper level of appreciation and savory enjoyment.

I was fond of reading

Indicates a long-standing personal preference or habitual liking.

I took pleasure in reading

A more formal and descriptive way to express enjoyment.

I used to love reading

Contextualizes the love as a past habit or phase.

I cherished reading

Implies that the time spent reading was precious or deeply valued.

I was passionate about reading

Focuses on the intensity of interest rather than just the act of enjoyment.

Reading was my favorite activity

Restructures the sentence to place emphasis on the activity itself.

FAQs

How to use "I loved reading" in a sentence?

You can use it to express a past or recurring feeling of joy, such as: "I loved reading about space when I was a child."

What can I say instead of "I loved reading"?

Depending on the intensity you wish to convey, you can use "<a href="/s/I+enjoyed+reading" target="_blank" rel="alternative">I enjoyed reading", "<a href="/s/I+relished+reading" target="_blank" rel="alternative">I relished reading", or "<a href="/s/I+was+fond+of+reading" target="_blank" rel="alternative">I was fond of reading".

Which is correct, "I loved reading" or "I loved to read"?

Both are grammatically correct and interchangeable in most contexts. "I loved reading" (using the gerund) often emphasizes the activity itself, while "<a href="/s/I+loved+to+read" target="_blank" rel="alternative">I loved to read" (using the infinitive) is slightly more common when referring to a habit.

What's the difference between "I loved reading" and "I enjoyed reading"?

"I loved reading" implies a stronger, more emotional connection, whereas "<a href="/s/I+enjoyed+reading" target="_blank" rel="alternative">I enjoyed reading" is a more common, neutral way to express satisfaction.