an old passion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an old passion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a long-standing interest or strong feeling that someone has had for a long time. Example: "After years of focusing on my career, I decided to revisit an old passion for painting that I had neglected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"New markets keep growing and old ones are coming back with an old passion for Greece".

The New York Times

And now, when I look at the art of Bacon, I feel an old passion stir.

The Guardian - Arts

The English-speaking world has an old passion for books about creatures that make strange and captivating companions.

The Guardian - Books

After finishing the play last summer, I described to readers of this blog why theatre, with its collaborative, spontaneous unpredictability, is an old passion of mine.

The New Yorker

Here, a new strand enters the film, that of whether these former lovers can reconcile their differences and rekindle the embers of an old passion.

The Guardian - Film

He intends to marry an old passion with a new one: the store will employ View-Masters and perhaps video screens to show the history of the food on the shelves.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Graf saw his first aircraft when he was twelve years old and this sight caused an emotional conflict between his old passion for football and a new obsession with aviation.

Wikipedia

As Dr. Valdiserri called for a revival of the old passion that advocates expressed in the early years of the epidemic, scores of participants marched outside the conference hall.

The New York Times

And so people are inspired again and again to try and pass directly back from loyalty back to lust - to relight or rekindle a marriage with the old passion.

BBC

Kaoru falls in love with her, seeking a kind of reincarnation of his old passion.

The New Yorker

I never thought I'd be this angry about an old childhood passion.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "an old passion" with action verbs like "rekindle", "ignite", or "revive" to create a vivid image of renewed enthusiasm and engagement.

Common error

Avoid using "an old passion" to describe current hobbies or interests. This phrase implies a return to something previously enjoyed but later abandoned or forgotten. Use "current interests" or "present passions" instead if you're talking about what you are doing right now.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an old passion" functions as a noun phrase. Ludwig AI shows it typically acts as an object of a verb (e.g., rekindle, ignite, revisit) or as a subject complement, describing something that existed in the past.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an old passion" is a grammatically correct noun phrase referring to a past interest or hobby that is being revisited or rekindled. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage in various contexts. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media sources and carries a neutral register. When using this phrase, it's best to evoke a sense of rediscovery or nostalgia, and to avoid using it for describing current interests. Related phrases include ""a rekindled interest"" and ""a revived enthusiasm"". Overall, the phrase effectively communicates a return to something once loved, adding depth and emotion to one's writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a rekindled interest

Focuses on the act of reviving a dormant interest.

a revived enthusiasm

Emphasizes the renewed energy and excitement for something previously enjoyed.

a former hobby

Highlights the past nature of the activity.

a long-standing interest

Stresses the duration and continuous nature of the interest.

a cherished desire

Indicates a deep and affectionate longing for something.

a forgotten love

Implies a previous strong affection that has been set aside.

a nostalgic pursuit

Highlights the sentimental aspect of revisiting a past activity.

a dormant aspiration

Suggests an ambition that has been inactive but is now being considered again.

a past inclination

Indicates a previous tendency or preference.

a historical enthusiasm

Highlights the past nature of the enthusiasm.

FAQs

How can I use "an old passion" in a sentence?

You can use "an old passion" to describe a previous interest or hobby that you are revisiting, such as: "After retiring, she decided to revisit "an old passion" for painting."

What's a good alternative to "an old passion"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a rekindled interest", "a revived enthusiasm", or "a former hobby".

Is it correct to say "I'm returning to an old passion"?

Yes, "I'm returning to "an old passion"" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to indicate you are taking up a previous interest again.

What is the difference between "an old passion" and "a current hobby"?

"An old passion" refers to something you used to enjoy but stopped doing for a while, whereas "a current hobby" is something you are actively engaged in now. You might say, "Gardening is my current hobby, but I'm thinking of revisiting "an old passion" for woodworking."