developing an interest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "developing an interest" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the process of becoming more engaged or curious about a particular subject or activity. Example: "Over the summer, I found myself developing an interest in photography, which led me to take several classes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's not like developing an interest in, say, polo.

The New Yorker

Now the girls are developing an interest in music.

The Washington Post

At the same time, he was developing an interest in Zen Buddhism.

The New York Times - Arts

Highly trained in classics and philology, Bury began developing an interest in history in the 1880s.

Britannica

He is also developing an interest in wearable technology and devices.

Columbia University

His friend and neighbour Michael Bowles says that in his 30s Sue-Patt was also developing an interest in art.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Instead he took a series of administrative jobs while developing an interest in blogging under the handle Brown Moses.

The Guardian

One rabbi, Charles Arian, began developing an interest in bourbon 10 years ago, after he married a woman from Kentucky.

The New York Times - Food

They are also developing an interest in children's social services and have police and health service contracts for the forensic examinations of children who have been sexually abused.

The Guardian

This got me thinking about the Wellcome Trust, which also works on malaria and has been developing an interest in climate change as a health issue.

The Guardian

One loses interest in the drugs and rock n' roll, and start developing an interest in Bordeaux or Single Malt Scotch.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the initial stages of engagement with a subject, use "developing an interest" to convey a sense of gradual growth and curiosity. For example: "She began "developing an interest" in marine biology after visiting the aquarium."

Common error

Instead of saying "An interest was "developing an interest" in him", opt for a more direct construction like "He was "developing an interest"" for a stronger and clearer sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "developing an interest" functions as a verb phrase that describes the process of someone beginning to feel curiosity or engagement with a particular subject or activity. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is correct and provides numerous examples across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

24%

Science

18%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "developing an interest" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the gradual process of becoming more engaged or curious about a particular subject or activity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. It appears frequently in News & Media, Academic, and Scientific contexts, making it suitable for diverse writing styles. When using this phrase, consider alternatives like "cultivating an interest" or "fostering an interest" for nuanced expression. Remember to use the preposition "in" rather than "for" and maintain an active voice for clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cultivating an interest

Focuses on the nurturing aspect of growing an interest.

fostering an interest

Emphasizes the act of actively encouraging the growth of interest.

nurturing an interest

Highlights the care and attention given to develop an interest.

acquiring an interest

Suggests a more passive reception of interest.

gaining an interest

Similar to acquiring, but implies a more active role in the process.

taking an interest

Highlights the action of choosing to be interested.

becoming interested

A simpler, more direct way to express the same idea.

growing an interest

Suggests a gradual increase in interest over time.

sparking an interest

Implies a sudden or initial moment of interest.

kindling an interest

Similar to sparking, but suggests a gentler initiation of interest.

FAQs

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

Use "developing an interest" to describe the process of becoming more curious or engaged in a particular topic or activity. For example, "After reading several books on the subject, she started "developing an interest" in astrophysics."

What are some alternatives to "developing an interest"?

You can use alternatives such as "cultivating an interest", "fostering an interest", or "becoming interested", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "developing an interest in" or "developing an interest for"?

"Developing an interest in" is the correct and more commonly used preposition. "Developing an interest for" is less standard and might sound awkward to native English speakers.

What's the difference between "developing an interest" and "having an interest"?

"Developing an interest" describes the process of becoming interested, while "having an interest" indicates a state of already being interested. For instance, "She is "developing an interest" in history" means she's starting to become interested, whereas "She has an interest in history" means she's already interested.