an ongoing interest

USAGE SUMMARY

"an ongoing interest" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a sustained, long-term interest in something. For example, "I have an ongoing interest in learning about ancient civilizations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

Instead, to me, it reflects an ongoing interest in the treachery of language itself.

The Guardian - Music

Since I was a teen-ager, I've had an ongoing interest in realistic modern fiction, inspired equally by comics and prose fiction.

The New Yorker

It sets his wartime work alongside earlier offerings and reveals an ongoing interest in the tensions between the modern world and olde England.

The Guardian - Arts

The entire building was bought in 1985 by Griff Rhys Jones, who set about a restoration project (obviously an ongoing interest).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Reflecting an ongoing interest in dreams and sleep, he turned to the Greek god of sleep Hypnos numerous times as a subject in his paintings and sculptures.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Aside from securing an ongoing interest in Papua New Guinea from investors, O'Neill's challenge is to show people how it won't just be "business as usual" as resource wealth is further tapped.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

In that case, you may want to look for a card with a low, ongoing interest rate.

Huffington Post

In step one, Flores agreed to swap his interests in McMoran’s shallow water ultra deep drilling program for a 51 million share interest in McMoRan Exploration (a 23% ongoing interest at present levels of shares outstanding) and $75 million in cash.

Forbes

The Citi Diamond Preferred Card is a little more difficult to get approved for than the Citi Simplicity Card, but with an ongoing APR of 11.99%-21.99%*, applicants may be able to get a lower ongoing interest rate on this card.

Huffington Post

Although there is a huge ongoing interest in the application of plant-based compounds for alleviating chronic diseases due to their potent therapeutic and biomedicinal efficacy, the use of phytochemicals within the context of diabetes remains largely unexplored.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Certainly, police are interested in the naval port, with sources revealing that officers from Scotland Yard's SO15 counter-terrorism command and the South -East counter-terrorism unit (Sectu) are taking an active and ongoing interest in members of its 7,100-strong 7,100-strongnity.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "an ongoing interest", ensure that the context clearly indicates the subject or area in which the interest is maintained over time. For instance, "She has an ongoing interest in environmental conservation" provides a clear and specific context.

Common error

Avoid using "ongoing interest" as a filler phrase. Make sure the interest genuinely represents a sustained commitment or curiosity rather than a fleeting thought. Instead of saying "The project requires ongoing interest", be specific: "The project requires sustained attention to detail".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an ongoing interest" functions as a noun phrase, where "ongoing" modifies the noun "interest". It describes the state of having continuous or sustained attention and curiosity towards a subject. As evidenced by the Ludwig AI examples, it's commonly used to indicate a long-term commitment or engagement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an ongoing interest" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that denotes a sustained or continuous attention to a particular subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase functions as a noun phrase and is typically employed in neutral to formal contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and encyclopedic sources. While alternatives like "a continuing interest" or "a sustained interest" exist, "an ongoing interest" effectively communicates a long-term commitment or curiosity. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in the context and specify the subject of the interest to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a continuous interest

Very similar to "ongoing", but can emphasize the unbroken nature of the interest.

a continuing interest

Replaces "ongoing" with "continuing", emphasizing the uninterrupted nature of the interest.

a sustained interest

Substitutes "ongoing" with "sustained", highlighting the prolonged duration of the interest.

a long-term interest

Emphasizes the duration and future orientation of the interest.

a persistent interest

Employs "persistent" instead of "ongoing", stressing the unwavering nature of the interest.

a lasting interest

Replaces "ongoing" with "lasting", focusing on the enduring quality of the interest.

an abiding interest

Replaces "ongoing" with "abiding", suggesting a deep-seated and enduring interest.

a developing interest

Suggests an interest that is growing or evolving over time, rather than just continuing.

a prolonged interest

Uses "prolonged" to indicate an interest that has been extended or has existed for a considerable time.

a constant interest

Implies a consistent and unchanging level of interest.

FAQs

How can I use "an ongoing interest" in a sentence?

You can use "an ongoing interest" to describe a sustained or continuous attention to a particular subject or activity. For example, "He has an ongoing interest in astrophysics" or "The company maintains an ongoing interest in sustainable development".

What are some alternatives to saying "an ongoing interest"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a continuing interest", "a sustained interest", or "a persistent interest", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "ongoing interest" or "continued interest"?

"Ongoing interest" and "continued interest" are often interchangeable, but "ongoing interest" typically implies a continuous and active engagement, whereas "continued interest" simply suggests that the interest has not ceased. Choose the phrase that best reflects the nature of the interest you are describing.

What's the difference between "an ongoing interest" and "a passing interest"?

"An ongoing interest" indicates a long-term commitment or curiosity, while "a passing interest" refers to a temporary or fleeting curiosity. "An ongoing interest" suggests sustained engagement, whereas "a passing interest" implies a brief or superficial involvement.