a benign interest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a benign interest" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a harmless or non-threatening curiosity or concern about a subject or situation. Example: "Her research was driven by a benign interest in the effects of climate change on local wildlife."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Perhaps somebody up there really is taking a benign interest.

Independent

While Kiwi's manager, Carl Jenks, is a petty tyrant, his co-worker Vijay is a self-assured pothead who takes a benign interest in the new boy's re-education.

The New York Times - Books

Maintaining a benign interest in celebrity (as opposed to say chess, gardening or cryptic crosswords) is not a crime... Is Cheryl Cole's hairstyle really less relevant than which wine has had a bloody good year in Burgundy?" She goes on to argue that tabloid readers "are both ardent campaigners against injustice and generous donors" before returning to the journalists.

The Guardian

Stocks climbed higher as strong corporate earnings and a benign interest rate outlook sustained optimism in the market.

Forbes

During the boom years, such borrowers could rely on housing price appreciation or a benign interest rate environment to allow them to refinance (often at higher valuations and loan-to-values).

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Much like the period during the midcycle slowdown in 1985-1986, the market today anticipates a continued benign interest rate environment.

Forbes

The UK: With the economy facing challenges, the banking sector remains vulnerable: the highly leveraged economy is benefiting greatly from the benign interest rate environment, but the threat of a doubledip recession (in case of a fiscal tightening that is too harsh) or increased funding costs for the banks and the sovereign (in the opposite case) remain.

The Guardian - Business

But that needs decades of high growth, tight budgets and benign interest rates.

The Economist

The effect on Britain was benign: interest rates were slashed, austerity eased and – with the pound devalued – exports recovered.

The Guardian - Opinion

Banks responded to the more benign interest rate environment by shifting activity back to borrowing short and lending long.

Columbia University

The glass was "half full," he declared, urging investors to exploit "globalization and all of its wondrous benefits–high growth, low inflation, accelerating profits and benign interest rates".

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a benign interest" to describe curiosity or concern that is harmless, gentle, and well-intentioned. It often implies a lack of intent to interfere or control.

Common error

Avoid using "a benign interest" when you actually mean to convey a strong or invested interest. "Benign" suggests gentleness and non-interference, not passion or determination.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a benign interest" functions as a noun phrase, where "benign" modifies the noun "interest". It describes the type or quality of the interest being expressed. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a benign interest" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a harmless or non-threatening curiosity or concern. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While relatively rare in occurrence, it finds its primary contexts in news, academia, and science. When using this phrase, ensure that the intention is to convey gentleness and a lack of interference, and consider alternatives like "a mild curiosity" or "a gentle concern" to fine-tune the nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a mild curiosity

Emphasizes the lack of intensity in the interest.

a gentle concern

Focuses on the caring aspect of the interest, portraying it as non-intrusive.

a harmless fascination

Highlights the lack of any potential negative impact.

an innocent curiosity

Stresses the purity and naivety of the interest.

a superficial interest

Suggests a lack of depth or commitment.

a passing curiosity

Indicates the interest is temporary and not likely to last.

a casual interest

Implies a relaxed and informal level of interest.

a detached interest

Suggests a lack of emotional involvement.

a theoretical interest

Focuses on the intellectual or abstract aspect of the interest.

a polite interest

Highlights the social or courteous aspect of showing interest.

FAQs

What does "a benign interest" mean?

The phrase "a benign interest" refers to a harmless, gentle, and non-threatening curiosity or concern. It suggests a lack of intent to interfere or cause harm.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a benign interest"?

Use "a benign interest" when you want to describe someone's curiosity or concern as being mild and well-intentioned, without any implication of negative consequences or meddling.

What are some alternatives to "a benign interest"?

You can use alternatives like "a mild curiosity", "a gentle concern", or "a harmless fascination", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How does "a benign interest" differ from a strong or invested interest?

"A benign interest" implies a gentle, non-interfering curiosity, while a strong or invested interest suggests a greater level of commitment, involvement, and potentially, a desire to influence outcomes.