a love interest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a love interest" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to someone with whom a character or person is romantically involved or attracted to. Example: "In the movie, the protagonist's love interest is a charming artist who inspires them to pursue their dreams."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's interesting that Winona Ryder voices a love interest of sorts, but she's not 14.

Huffington Post

And a love interest.

The New York Times

But as a love interest . . .

The New Yorker

She's not just a love interest, though.

The New York Times

They needed a love interest, of course.

The New Yorker

And never, ever, text a love interest while intoxicated.

The New York Times

During the finale he kisses a love interest.

The New Yorker

There's tango, a love interest and continent-hopping environmental intrigue.

Princeton University

A woman named Zoya masquerades as a love interest.

The New York Times

There must also be a love interest, a task winningly taken up by Emma Roberts.

The New York Times

His painfully shy character Tyler gets a love interest and Amy's mission finds an audience.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing fiction, develop your "a love interest" character beyond a mere plot device; give them their own motivations, flaws, and backstory to make them feel realistic and engaging.

Common error

Resist portraying "a love interest" as solely defined by their relationship to the protagonist. Ensure they have agency and complexity, rather than simply serving as a reward or obstacle for the main character.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a love interest" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as an object or complement in a sentence. It identifies a character or person who is the object of romantic feelings or involved in a romantic relationship. Ludwig's examples show it in varied contexts, reinforcing its role as a noun phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Wiki

20%

HuffPost

8%

Less common in

The Guardian - Books

1%

Princeton University

1%

Vice

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a love interest" is a common noun phrase used to describe someone a character or person is romantically involved with or attracted to. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. This phrase appears frequently in news, media, and wiki sources, indicating its widespread understanding and acceptance. While various alternatives exist, such as "romantic partner" or "crush", "a love interest" offers a neutral and generally applicable term. When using the phrase in writing, it's best to develop the "a love interest" character beyond a mere plot device to create a more believable and engaging story.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

romantic partner

Focuses on a committed romantic relationship.

potential sweetheart

Implies a developing romantic connection.

prospective flame

Suggests a budding and possibly passionate romance.

flame

Informal term for a person one has romantic interest with.

romantic infatuation

Highlights a strong, often short-lived, romantic attraction.

paramour

Refers to a lover, often in the context of an affair.

crush

Refers to a brief and intense infatuation with someone.

special someone

A more general term for someone significant in one's life, often romantically.

beau

An older term for a boyfriend or male admirer.

admirer

Someone who admires another person, which can be in a romantic way.

FAQs

How do I use "a love interest" in a sentence?

You can use "a love interest" to describe a character's romantic partner or someone they are romantically interested in. For example, "The protagonist in the movie develops strong feelings for his "love interest"."

What are some alternatives to saying "a love interest"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "romantic partner", "crush", or "special someone" to describe "a love interest".

How can I make "a love interest" character more believable?

To make "a love interest" more believable, give them their own goals, flaws, and personality traits that exist independently of their relationship with the main character. Avoid making them solely defined by their role as "love interest".

What is the difference between "a love interest" and "romantic interest"?

"A love interest" and "romantic interest" are often used interchangeably. However, "romantic interest" might subtly imply a more active or pursued connection, whereas "a love interest" can refer to someone the character is simply drawn to.