develop a keen interest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "develop a keen interest" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing the process of cultivating a strong enthusiasm or curiosity about a particular subject or activity. Example: "Over the years, I have developed a keen interest in photography, which has led me to explore various techniques and styles."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Be sure to read romance novels and develop a keen interest in poetry.

WikiHow

Develop a keen interest on life and everything that pertains it.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

About a decade ago, Thea Litschka-Koen developed a keen interest in snakes.

Vice

The Department of Defense, meanwhile, developed a keen interest.

The New Yorker

No wonder television programmers have developed a keen interest in the adolescent psyche.

The New York Times

At Christ Church, Ox ford, he studied medicine and developed a keen interest in the nervous system.

The Guardian

At High Pavement school in Nottingham, Peter developed a keen interest in jazz, and picked up his first drumsticks.

The Guardian

Mr. Stein was born in Newark and developed a keen interest in painting and jazz while still quite young.

The New York Times - Arts

The MBTI was developed during World War 2 by Myers and Briggs (obviously), two housewives who developed a keen interest in the works of Carl Jung.

The Guardian

He studied at the British Museum, and developed a keen interest in the theatre, even considering a stage career as a Shakespearean actor.

Independent

Having won the referendum war largely thanks to the votes of the over 40s, Leadsom has suddenly developed a keen interest in children and grandchildren.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "develop a keen interest", ensure the context clearly indicates the subject or area in which the interest is growing. For example, "She developed a keen interest in astrophysics after attending a lecture."

Common error

Avoid using "interest" as a verb when you mean to express growing curiosity. It's more appropriate to say "develop a keen interest" than "interest in something developed."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "develop a keen interest" functions as a verbal phrase expressing the commencement or growth of a strong liking or curiosity towards a subject or activity. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its proper usage in describing how someone's enthusiasm for something evolves.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "develop a keen interest" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that describes the process of growing enthusiasm or curiosity about a topic. Ludwig AI analysis and examples from reliable sources highlight its versatile application across News & Media, Wiki, and Science contexts. While neutral to formal in register, it’s important to specify the subject of interest for clarity. Alternative phrases like "cultivate a strong interest" or "foster a deep interest" can add nuance. Be mindful of using "interest" as a verb, and ensure correct usage to enhance clarity. By avoiding common mistakes and understanding its context, you can use the phrase "develop a keen interest" effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cultivate a strong interest

Replaces "develop" with "cultivate", emphasizing a more deliberate effort to grow the interest.

foster a deep interest

Substitutes "keen" with "deep" and "develop" with "foster", suggesting a nurturing of a pre-existing interest.

acquire a strong interest

Uses "acquire" instead of "develop", focusing on gaining the interest.

gain a significant interest

Emphasizes the importance of the interest gained, using "significant" instead of "keen".

become highly interested

Shifts the focus to becoming interested, rather than developing an interest.

take a great interest in

Uses "take" to indicate starting to be interested and "great" to describe the level of interest.

nurture an interest in

Highlights the act of caring for and encouraging the growth of an interest.

grow an affinity for

Indicates a gradual liking or connection developing over time.

build up an enthusiasm for

Focuses on creating enthusiasm, implying a more active role.

find oneself drawn to

Suggests a passive attraction, where someone is naturally attracted to something.

FAQs

How can I use "develop a keen interest" in a sentence?

You can use "develop a keen interest" to describe someone starting to become very interested in something. For example, "He "developed a keen interest" in history after visiting the museum."

What are some alternatives to "develop a keen interest"?

Alternatives include phrases like "cultivate a strong interest", "foster a deep interest", or "acquire a strong interest", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "develop a keen interest" or "become interested"?

Both are correct, but "develop a keen interest" suggests a more active and gradual process of growing curiosity, while "become interested" can imply a more sudden shift in attention.

What's the difference between "a strong interest" and "a keen interest"?

While similar, "a strong interest" indicates the intensity of liking something, whereas "a keen interest" suggests enthusiasm, eagerness, and a desire to learn more about something.