a keenness for

USAGE SUMMARY

"a keenness for" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a strong enthusiasm or interest in something. For example, "He had a keenness for learning new things."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

She began a degree in history, as planned, but combined the subject with economics, in part to capitalize on a keenness for math.

The New Yorker

Further, all schools indicated a keenness for their students to engage in these new learning experiences.

International Journal of STEM Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It stated that, of these times, he "wrote with a keenness of judgement, a descriptive style, and a fund of anecdote that made the games live again".

Wikipedia

Outfits like Libya's Islamic Fighting Group and Egypt's Jamaat Islamiya, both of which pursued terror campaigns in the 1990s and were on the radical fringe, express a newfound keenness for peaceful politics, explaining that their past resort to violence was only a response to repression.

The Economist

I certainly lost all keenness for remaining in the service".

Wikipedia

Although Mr Jospin's remarks about the tax were what grabbed headlines, in his interview he too had spelt out his government's keenness for a proper debate about globalisation involving countries, non-governmental organisations and international outfits such as the World Bank and the IMF.

The Economist

Rowan Cope also feels there's a keenness to read stories that have been marginalised for so long.

The Guardian - Music

"I am pretty certain that the Taliban are showing a little bit of flexibility recently, and as far as I have information there is a keenness and willingness from Taliban and among the Taliban ranks for peace," he said.

The New York Times

Canavero has said that China is keen to be involved in the procedure as a way of demonstrating its keenness for scientific research to the world, likening the race to complete the transplant to the space race.

Independent

The need to write off existing reserves shines a revealing light on global climate politics, because when you map out the world's fossil fuel reserves, a striking correlation emerges between the amount of carbon a country has in the ground and its keenness for – or resistance to – a global climate deal.

The Guardian

Humility and a keenness to learn helps too.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a keenness for", ensure that the noun following "for" accurately reflects the subject of enthusiasm. For example, "a keenness for scientific research" clearly conveys interest in that specific area.

Common error

Do not use "a keenness for" with overly broad or undefined subjects. Instead of "a keenness for things", specify the particular subjects or activities that inspire enthusiasm to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a keenness for" functions as a noun phrase followed by a preposition, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a state of strong enthusiasm or interest. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a keenness for" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that expresses strong enthusiasm or interest. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for describing a person's positive attitude toward a specific subject or activity. Though not overly common, it appears in various contexts, including news articles, scientific publications, and general writing, indicating a neutral register. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the subject of enthusiasm and avoiding overly broad applications. Alternatives such as "an enthusiasm for" or "a strong interest in" can provide similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an enthusiasm for

Replaces "keenness" with "enthusiasm", emphasizing excitement and eagerness.

a passion for

Substitutes "keenness" with "passion", suggesting a strong and intense interest.

a strong interest in

Rephrases the phrase to highlight the intensity of the interest.

an eagerness for

Replaces "keenness" with "eagerness", highlighting the anticipation and excitement.

a craving for

Emphasizes a strong desire or need, which is more intense than just an interest.

a desire for

Uses the general term "desire" to express a wish or longing.

a propensity for

Indicates a natural inclination or tendency, rather than just an interest.

an affinity for

Suggests a natural liking or attraction to something.

a penchant for

Highlights a specific liking or preference.

a proclivity for

Indicates a natural inclination or habit, more so than an interest.

FAQs

How can I use "a keenness for" in a sentence?

Use "a keenness for" to express a strong interest or enthusiasm for something. For example, "She showed "a keenness for" learning new languages".

What are some alternatives to "a keenness for"?

Alternatives include "an enthusiasm for", "a passion for", or "a strong interest in", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "keenness for" or "keenness in"?

"Keenness for" is generally used to indicate enthusiasm or interest towards a specific subject or activity. While "keenness in" can also be correct, it's less common. For example, "a keenness for travel" is more common than "a keenness in travel".

What does "a keenness for" imply about a person's attitude?

"A keenness for" implies a positive and enthusiastic attitude toward the subject in question. It suggests the person is not only interested but also eager and willing to engage with it.