a sharp interest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sharp interest" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a strong or intense curiosity or enthusiasm about a particular subject or topic. Example: "She has a sharp interest in environmental conservation and often participates in related community projects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

It takes a sharp interest in the market; you might say it depicts the market to some extent.

The Guardian - Arts

"The book reads as a tour through literary evocations of mindedness, written by someone with a keen sense of texts and a sharp interest in the contemporary intellectual scene.

Johns Hopkins University

"As the son of a journalist, George [Clooney] has a sharp interest in the role journalism plays in all of our lives," said Michael De Luca, of Columbia Pictures - the studio behind the forthcoming film.

BBC

In retrospect, the Reagan economic era is positively remembered and cherished due to the end of the recession and the aggressive monetary expansion, highlighted by a sharp interest rate decrease (from over 20% levels) that impelled the stock market to catapult 300% from the lows of the 800 points it plummeted to.

Forbes

But at other times he has openly displayed a sharp interest in the race to succeed him that is typical of his lifelong interest in political detail.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Treasuries Move Higher (By Reuters) -- Treasury bond prices gained yesterday after the Federal Reserve chairman, Alan Greenspan, said the economy was near a standstill, raising hopes for a sharp Fed interest rate cut next week.

The New York Times

All year long, the fans of their dagger-shaped leaves are an attractive blue-gray-green--a sharp point of interest among the mounding foliage of bushier things.

Los Angeles Times

His successor, John Grey Gorton, proved more assertive, especially of a sharper national interest in economic and diplomatic affairs.

Encyclopedia Britannica

What's also important to understand is that each of these periods where interest-rate volatility spiked coincided with a sharp rise in interest rates, as see in the chart below.

Forbes

These show that the group, now headquartered in Switzerland, paid £430m interest on its loans for the year but benefited from the downturn, which triggered a sharp fall in interest rates.

The Guardian - Business

A sharp uptick in interest rates has caused the refinancing boom to sputter.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a sharp interest", ensure the context clearly indicates the subject or area of interest to avoid ambiguity. For example, "She has a sharp interest in astrophysics and spends hours reading research papers."

Common error

Avoid using "a sharp interest" when a milder term like "an interest" or "a general interest" would be more appropriate. Overusing strong adjectives can dilute their impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sharp interest" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "sharp" modifies the noun "interest". It typically acts as a subject complement or an object, describing the nature of someone's interest in a particular subject. Ludwig's examples show it describing interest in the market, journalism, and other areas.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a sharp interest" is a grammatically sound and acceptable way to describe a strong and focused curiosity or enthusiasm for a particular subject. Ludwig AI indicates its usage is correct and can be replaced by alternatives like "a keen interest" or "a strong interest". While categorized as rare in terms of frequency, it appears most commonly in news and media, as well as academic contexts. When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly defines the area of interest and avoid overstating the intensity when a milder term would suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A keen interest

Emphasizes enthusiasm and eagerness.

A strong interest

Highlights the intensity of the interest.

A profound interest

Implies a deep and thoughtful engagement.

An avid interest

Suggests an enthusiastic and dedicated pursuit.

A consuming interest

Indicates that the interest occupies much of one's attention.

A marked interest

Focuses on the notability or obviousness of the interest.

A noticeable interest

Highlights that the interest is easily observed.

A growing interest

Suggests that the interest is increasing over time.

A developing interest

Focuses on the evolving nature of the interest.

A specialized interest

Highlights that the interest is focused on a specific area.

FAQs

How can I use "a sharp interest" in a sentence?

You can use "a sharp interest" to describe someone's strong enthusiasm or curiosity about a topic. For example, "He developed "a sharp interest" in coding after taking an introductory course.

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

Alternatives include "a keen interest", "a strong interest", or "a profound interest", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "a sharp interest" or "an avid interest"?

Both phrases are correct, but "an avid interest" implies a more enthusiastic and dedicated pursuit, while "a sharp interest" suggests a focused and intense curiosity.

What's the difference between "a sharp interest" and "a casual interest"?

"A sharp interest" denotes a strong and focused engagement, whereas "a casual interest" indicates a mild or superficial curiosity. The former suggests dedication, while the latter implies a lack of commitment.