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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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an strong interest

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an strong interest" is not correct in written English.
It should be "a strong interest" because "strong" begins with a consonant sound. Example: "She has a strong interest in environmental conservation."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Guernsey have expressed an strong interest at being responsible for the 2014 version of the event.

News & Media

BBC

According to Strassman, one of his volunteers had "what might be considered a classical NDE," but that this volunteer came to the study with an strong interest in near-death experiences and was hoping to experience one with DMT.

News & Media

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Why would a telecommunications company take such a strong interest in a community college?

News & Media

The New York Times

A mother with a strong interest in grandchildren.

News & Media

The Guardian

There is a strong interest, a flowering that then dies down when other, newer things emerge.

Have you developed a strong interest in a particular aspect of your subject as an undergraduate?

Science & Research

Science Magazine

Ronda, a former teacher, is a company director and has a strong interest in education.

News & Media

Forbes

But it does mean that they, too, have a strong interest in a cure.

News & Media

The Economist

But, he said, "We have a strong interest in a stable currency.

News & Media

The New York Times

Another casualty was Kenneth M. Berry, an emergency room physician with a strong interest in bioterrorism threats.

News & Media

The New York Times

Nebraska had a strong interest in "drawing a bright line between infanticide and abortion," he said.

News & Media

The New York Times
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "a strong interest" instead of "an strong interest". The article "a" is used before consonant sounds.

Common error

Avoid using "an" before adjectives that start with a consonant sound. Remember that "an" is for vowel sounds, while "a" is for consonant sounds. For example, use "a strong interest", not "an strong interest".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

1.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an strong interest" functions as a noun phrase, but it is grammatically incorrect. It attempts to describe a particular inclination or enthusiasm, but the incorrect article usage detracts from its effectiveness. As Ludwig AI indicates, the correct form is "a strong interest".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science & Research

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an strong interest" is grammatically incorrect; the correct phrasing is "a strong interest". This error stems from using the article "an" before a word ("strong") that begins with a consonant sound. Ludwig AI identifies this mistake and suggests using the correct form, "a strong interest", or alternative phrases like "a keen interest" or "a deep interest". While examples of the incorrect phrase exist, they are infrequent and should be avoided to maintain grammatical accuracy and credibility in writing. Always remember the rule: "a" precedes consonant sounds, and "an" precedes vowel sounds.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "an strong interest"?

The correct way to phrase this is "a strong interest". The article "a" is used before words that begin with a consonant sound.

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

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

When should I use "a" vs. "an"?

Use "a" before words that start with a consonant sound (e.g., a book, a car, a strong interest). Use "an" before words that start with a vowel sound (e.g., an apple, an hour, an interesting idea).

Is "an interest" grammatically correct?

Yes, "an interest" is grammatically correct when "interest" is used alone. However, when "interest" is preceded by an adjective that begins with a consonant sound, like "strong", the correct form is "a strong interest".

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Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

1.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: