an acute interest

USAGE SUMMARY

"an acute interest" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to talk about an intense or keen interest in something. For example: "John has an acute interest in Scandinavian literature."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

We both have an acute interest in defining and defending privacy".

The Guardian

The most striking instance of Homer's exploration of the emotional effect of poetry also shows an acute interest in how familiar tales can have unexpected effects.

The Guardian - Books

As the conflict inside the Picasso Museum started to spill into the media, the French state took an acute interest in its problems.

The Guardian - Arts

But others, like the Justice Department and a number of state attorneys general, have taken an acute interest in the proposed book settlement that Google negotiated over its right to scan millions of books, many of them out of print.

The New York Times

VanDyke has an acute interest in using social media to promote his project – in fact, one of his first check-ins after arriving in Syria on 17 October was with friends on Facebook.

The Guardian

Historic turnouts in Iowa and New Hampshire reflect a high level of voter engagement, but the ratings after those events suggest that the rest of us are taking an acute interest in the only reality program in which the final episode includes the crowning of the leader of the free world.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Whether this pokes a hole in the idea that YoungTrigg had inside information, or rather confirms that the user had an unusually acute interest in whether the news had leaked out, is hard to tell.

The New York Times - Tech

He was a figure of acute interest to a small segment of the Manhattan art-literary-and-performance world, and unknown to practically everyone else His one book, "Portraits in Life and Death," with an introduction by Susan Sontag, appeared in 1976.

The New York Times

Meanwhile the Spaniard Joaqu Almunia was allocated the powerful antitrust portfolio, and G r Oettinger of Germany will take charge of energy, an area of acute interest to Berlin, which has promoted close cooperation with Russia over gas supplies.

The New York Times

Joaquín Almunia of Spain was given the powerful antitrust portfolio, and Günther Oettinger of Germany will take charge of energy, an area of acute interest to Berlin, which has promoted cooperation with Russia over gas supplies.

The New York Times

The nimbleness with which Cameron has ventured into the world of the Internet, and of Internet-inspired thinking, has made the Big Society an object of acute interest, if not unqualified excitement, in tech-savvy precincts.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "keen interest" or "strong interest" for variety, depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Common error

Avoid using "acute interest" when the interest is merely casual or mild. "Acute" implies a heightened or intensified focus, so reserve it for situations where the interest is particularly strong or has recently intensified.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an acute interest" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a particular inclination or strong curiosity. It is commonly used to describe someone's focus or attention towards a topic, as evidenced by the Ludwig AI examples, which highlight instances where individuals or entities develop a heightened interest in specific areas.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

7%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an acute interest" is a phrase used to describe a strong and focused interest, often one that has recently intensified. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using this phrase, remember that "acute" implies a heightened sense of focus, so it's best reserved for situations where the interest is particularly strong or has recently intensified. Consider using synonyms like "keen interest" or "strong interest" for variety. Avoiding the use of "acute interest" for mild or general interests will help maintain accuracy and clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a strong interest

Replaces "acute" with "strong", indicating a powerful interest.

a keen interest

Substitutes "acute" with "keen", suggesting an enthusiastic interest.

a deep interest

Replaces "acute" with "deep", emphasizing the profundity of the interest.

an intense interest

Substitutes "acute" with "intense", highlighting the high degree of interest.

a marked interest

Replaces "acute" with "marked", pointing out a noticeable interest.

a pronounced interest

Substitutes "acute" with "pronounced", suggesting a clear and distinct interest.

a considerable interest

Replaces "acute" with "considerable", indicating a significant amount of interest.

a significant interest

Substitutes "acute" with "significant", highlighting the importance of the interest.

a great deal of interest

Replaces "acute" with "a great deal of", focusing on the quantity of interest.

a heightened interest

Substitutes "acute" with "heightened", suggesting an increased level of interest.

FAQs

How can I appropriately use "an acute interest" in a sentence?

Use "an acute interest" to describe a situation where someone has a sudden or heightened sense of interest in a particular subject. For example, "After the presentation, she developed "an acute interest" in astrophysics".

What phrases can I use instead of "an acute interest"?

You can use alternatives like "a strong interest", "a keen interest", or "a deep interest" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "an acute interest" and "a casual interest"?

Yes, "an acute interest" implies a strong and focused interest, often one that has recently intensified. "A casual interest", on the other hand, suggests a mild or passing curiosity.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "an acute interest"?

It is inappropriate to use "an acute interest" when describing a general or lukewarm interest in something. "Acute" suggests a heightened or intensified focus, so it should only be used when the interest is particularly strong.