develop an interest

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "develop an interest" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is often used to discuss the process of learning and exploring something new. It is often used in the context of education, hobbies, or career development. For example: "As a student, I am encouraged to develop an interest in a range of topics."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Also, can you develop an interest in battery technology?

The Guardian - Tech

How did you develop an interest in spider webs?

The New York Times

How did you come to develop an interest in them?

Yale University

"We want to develop an interest in American football at an early age".

The New York Times - Sports

He worked for other agencies and began to develop an interest in advertising graphics.

Britannica

When did you first start to develop an interest in undertaking research?

Nature

Fortunately, Burgo said, "it's possible to try and develop an interest in other people".

Independent

Only with prodding and encouragement from the admirably patient and dedicated Hundert does he develop an interest in the Romans.

The New York Times

Having a personal experience, it jump-starts the whole ability to take in and develop an interest.

The New York Times - Travel

"Condoning these works has meant more people have access to them and develop an interest in young girls".

The New York Times

Thus, it was hardly inevitable that Christians would develop an interest in history, much less their own philosophy of history.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to encourage engagement or learning, use "develop an interest" to highlight the process of fostering curiosity and sustained attention over time.

Common error

Avoid using "develop an interest" interchangeably with phrases like "find an interest" when the context requires emphasizing active cultivation rather than a chance discovery. "Find an interest" implies a more passive finding, whereas "develop an interest" emphasizes the act of nurturing and growing that interest.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "develop an interest" functions as a verbal phrase, often followed by the preposition 'in' and a noun, indicating the object of interest. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s grammatically sound and commonly used, signifying the beginning or growth of curiosity and engagement in a specific area.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Academia

17%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "develop an interest" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the process of cultivating curiosity and engagement. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's widely applicable across various contexts. Analysis of Ludwig examples shows its frequent use in news, academic, and general discussions. Related phrases like "cultivate an interest" and "foster an interest" provide alternative ways to express this concept. When using "develop an interest", ensure that the preposition 'in' follows it, and emphasize the active nature of growth rather than passive acquisition. By considering these nuances, writers can effectively communicate the idea of fostering and nurturing interest in any given subject.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cultivate an interest

Emphasizes nurturing and fostering an interest over time.

foster an interest

Highlights the act of promoting or encouraging an interest.

gain an interest

Suggests acquiring an interest, often implying a more passive process.

acquire an interest

Similar to "gain an interest", but may imply a more deliberate effort.

become interested in

Focuses on the state of being interested rather than the process of developing it.

grow an interest

Implies a gradual increase in interest over time.

spark an interest

Suggests igniting a sudden and strong interest.

kindle an interest

Similar to "spark an interest", emphasizing a gentle awakening of interest.

nurture an interest

Focuses on carefully tending to and supporting an existing interest.

encourage an interest

Implies actively promoting someone else's interest.

FAQs

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

You can use "develop an interest" to describe the process of becoming more engaged and curious about a particular subject or activity. For example, "Reading widely can help you "develop an interest" in history".

What can I say instead of "develop an interest"?

You can use alternatives like "cultivate an interest", "foster an interest", or "become interested in" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "develop an interest on" instead of "develop an interest in"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "develop an interest" is "in". "Develop an interest in" is the standard and grammatically correct phrasing.

What's the difference between ""develop an interest"" and "have an interest"?

"Develop an interest" implies a process of growth and cultivation, whereas "have an interest" suggests a pre-existing or current state of being interested.