be interesting about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be interesting about" is not correct in standard written English.
It is unclear and does not convey a clear meaning; it may be an attempt to express curiosity or engagement with a topic. Example: "I wish you would be interesting about your hobbies when we talk."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"That's what would be interesting about it," he said.

The New Yorker

"I don't know what would be interesting about it," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Her last, "On Beauty," managed to be interesting about aesthetics as well as about race and compassion, and the prose was well turned and sweet-natured to match.

The New York Times - Books

My Chinese city friends cannot understand what can possibly be interesting about these smelly fishing harbours with their supposedly coarse people.

The Economist

"What's going to be interesting about watching this movie again after so long is to see how Polanski pulls it off," Ms. Moore said.

The New York Times

There simply isn't space to be interesting about them all - though she is about quite a few - and you get the impression, now and then, of an imposing but oddly colourless cavalcade of the great and good.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

They weren't educated or academic but they were interesting about and interested in the world.

The Guardian

What was interesting about his job?

The New York Times

That's what's interesting about them.

The New York Times - Magazine

"It's interesting about good works.

The New Yorker

It's interesting about the lentils.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to express interest or intrigue, consider more direct and grammatically conventional alternatives such as "be interesting about" or "be interested in". Using established phrases enhances clarity and avoids potential misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid directly replacing "be interested in" with "be interesting about". While the latter might seem like a valid substitution, it often lacks clarity and grammatical correctness. Instead, ensure the phrase accurately reflects your intended meaning, focusing on what is captivating or noteworthy about a subject.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be interesting about" functions as a predicate attempting to describe the quality of a subject. However, it deviates from standard grammatical usage. Ludwig AI indicates that it is not correct in standard written English, thus alternative phrasing is suggested.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "be interesting about" appears in some contexts, it is considered grammatically incorrect in standard written English, according to Ludwig AI. Its intended purpose is to express curiosity or highlight engaging qualities, but it lacks the clarity and precision of established alternatives. Given its potential for misinterpretation, it is advisable to use more conventional phrases like "be interested in", ""be engaging"", or ""be intriguing"", depending on the intended meaning. Stick to grammatically sound and widely accepted alternatives to ensure clarity and avoid confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be engaging regarding

Focuses on the act of captivating someone's attention concerning a particular subject.

be fascinating concerning

Highlights how captivating something is in relation to a specific topic.

be intriguing with respect to

Emphasizes the element of mystery and curiosity surrounding a subject.

be captivating in relation to

Stresses the compelling nature of something when viewed in connection to a certain aspect.

be compelling with regard to

Indicates the forceful and convincing quality of something concerning a specific issue.

be thought-provoking about

Highlights the ability of something to stimulate deep thinking and reflection.

be noteworthy regarding

Emphasizes the significance and importance of something in a particular context.

be remarkable concerning

Highlights the exceptional and outstanding nature of something related to a certain matter.

be significant with respect to

Indicates the importance and impact of something when considering a particular point.

be valuable in relation to

Stresses the worth and usefulness of something when viewed in connection to a specific subject.

FAQs

What does "be interesting about" mean?

The phrase "be interesting about" is not standard English and lacks a clear, defined meaning. It seems to be an attempt to describe something that captures attention or generates curiosity. However, it's more effective to use alternatives like "be intriguing" or "be fascinating".

How can I use "be interested in" correctly?

Use "be interested in" to express curiosity or engagement with a topic. For example, "I am interested in learning more about history" is correct. The phrase indicates a desire to know more or participate in something. If you want to suggest that something is inherently attention-grabbing, consider using "is intriguing" or "is captivating".

What are some alternatives to "be interesting about"?

Since "be interesting about" is grammatically unconventional, use phrases like "be engaging", "be captivating", or "be noteworthy" depending on the context. These alternatives provide clarity and are more grammatically sound.

Which is correct, "be interested in" or "be interesting about"?

"Be interested in" is the correct and standard English phrase to express curiosity or engagement. "Be interesting about" is not a recognized idiomatic expression and should be avoided in formal writing. Use "be interested in" to convey your interest in a subject.