appear intrigued

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appear intrigued" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing someone's visible interest or curiosity about a subject or situation. Example: "During the presentation, the audience members began to appear intrigued by the new research findings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The Mets do not appear intrigued by any of the remaining free-agent catchers, including Paul Lo Duca, making it more likely that they will make a trade.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I didn't feel any sense of shock — he appeared intrigued, that is all," Kaveh Shakeri said.

The New York Times

Although she appeared intrigued by him, he seemed suddenly to be losing ground.

The New York Times - Style

Mr. Biden also appeared intrigued by the watches, studying a $1,200 timepiece for a while and even calling his daughter Ashley to "get some guidance".

The New York Times

Gareth himself appears intrigued by the industry's unlikely success.

Vice

But President Trump appeared intrigued when told about the details during a lunch meeting with senators Thursday.

Los Angeles Times

The Russians appear by turns intrigued by Chinese interest and wary of it.

The New York Times

Some of those rabbis occasionally appear to be intrigued by Bishara's intellectualism.

The New York Times - Magazine

A few days after the first advert appeared we were intrigued to receive an order from the US embassy.

The Guardian

Jude Law has reportedly contemplated becoming the next James Bond, a role that appears to have intrigued the entire male acting population at one time or another.

The Guardian - Film

"As the sweet fragrance of Moutai wafted across the room, the American guests became intrigued, grins appeared on their faces, and they were visibly happy and relaxed" is how the Communist Party's official account described the evening.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "appear intrigued", consider pairing it with a specific object or subject to clarify the source of their interest: 'They appeared intrigued by the antique map.'

Common error

Avoid using "appear intrigued" when a stronger emotion like fascination or obsession is more accurate. "Intrigued" suggests a casual interest, not deep captivation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appear intrigued" functions as a verb phrase indicating a state of seeming interest or curiosity. The verb "appear" acts as a linking verb, connecting the subject to the adjective "intrigued", which describes their state. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "appear intrigued" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe someone exhibiting interest or curiosity. As Ludwig AI points out, it’s a perfectly acceptable phrase for describing a visible state of interest. Although "appear intrigued" doesn't show up often, when it does, it’s generally in neutral contexts like news or academic texts. While there are alternatives like "seem interested" or "look curious", "appear intrigued" suggests a specific observation of mild to moderate interest, and shouldn't be used when a stronger emotion is more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seem interested

Focuses on a general state of interest rather than a specific intrigue.

look curious

Highlights a visual expression of curiosity.

show interest

Emphasizes the active display of interest.

appear fascinated

Indicates a stronger level of interest and captivation.

seem captivated

Highlights being charmed or influenced irresistibly.

look engaged

Emphasizes active involvement and attention.

be attracted to

Describes being drawn to something.

express curiosity

Highlights the act of showing curiosity.

take an interest in

Focuses on making an active decision to be interested.

be curious about

Highlights a feeling of wanting to know more.

FAQs

How can I use "appear intrigued" in a sentence?

You can use "appear intrigued" to describe someone showing curiosity or interest. For example, "The students "appeared intrigued" by the guest speaker's presentation".

What's a good alternative to "appear intrigued"?

Alternatives include "seem interested", "look curious", or "show interest", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "appear intrigued" or "seem intrigued"?

Both "appear intrigued" and "seem intrigued" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice depends on personal preference or the specific context. "Appear" might emphasize a visual observation, while "seem" could suggest a more general impression.

What does it mean when someone "appears intrigued"?

It means they are showing signs of interest or curiosity, often through their expression or behavior. It suggests they find something interesting or mysterious.