eager to listen

USAGE SUMMARY

"eager to listen" is a correct phrase and it can be used in written English.
It means being enthusiastic or eager to hear what someone has to say. Example: Anna was eager to listen to her friend's story about her trip to Europe.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But a surprising new study suggests that no matter what listeners say, they're more eager to listen to music that they're already familiar with than the new stuff.

Huffington Post

Kyrenians seemed eager to listen.

The New York Times

They, in turn, seemed eager to listen and learn.

The New York Times

Rob Portman was headed to Capitol Hill, eager to listen.

The Washington Post

The Obama-ites were extremely eager to listen.

The New York Times

It will be from someone wanting to talk, and Walker is eager to listen.

The New York Times - Sports

"I'm eager to listen and to learn," Hughes said, with Rice standing at her side.

The Washington Post

"We're eager to listen to input from people with greater expertise," he said.

The New York Times

"I'm eager to listen and to learn". Whether the marketers can rescue Brand America is a moot point.

The Guardian

Although the lawyers were eager to listen to Novitzky's testimony, there was little for them to learn.

The New York Times - Sports

Off I went to athletics club, and back I came eager to listen to Tops of the Pops.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's willingness to understand different points of view, opt for "eager to listen" for better clarity and precision.

Common error

While "eager to listen" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or professional settings where a more nuanced expression of interest might be appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "eager to listen" functions as an adjective phrase followed by an infinitive, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe someone's state of being enthusiastic and willing to hear or consider something. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment that it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Academia

21%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "eager to listen" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey enthusiasm and receptiveness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and effective way to describe someone's willingness to hear and understand. With a neutral register, the phrase is commonly found in both academic and media contexts. While there are alternative phrases like "willing to listen" and "keen to hear", "eager to listen" remains a strong choice for emphasizing genuine interest.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

willing to listen

Emphasizes a general readiness and openness to hearing what someone has to say.

keen to hear

Highlights a strong interest and enthusiasm in hearing or learning about something.

attentive to

Focuses on giving careful attention to someone or something being said.

ready to lend an ear

Suggests a willingness to listen with empathy and understanding.

disposed to hear

Implies a favorable inclination to listen, often in a formal context.

receptive to hearing

Indicates openness and acceptance towards what is being communicated.

interested in hearing

Expresses curiosity and a desire to learn more by listening.

prepared to listen

Suggests readiness and mental preparation for listening, often in a challenging situation.

open to listening

Highlights a lack of prejudice and a willingness to consider different perspectives.

inclined to listen

Implies a natural tendency or predisposition to listen attentively.

FAQs

How can I use "eager to listen" in a sentence?

You can use "eager to listen" to describe someone's enthusiasm for hearing something. For example, "The students were "eager to listen" to the guest speaker's presentation".

What can I say instead of "eager to listen"?

You can use alternatives like "willing to listen", "keen to hear", or "attentive to" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "eager to listen" in formal writing?

Yes, "eager to listen" is generally acceptable in formal writing, but consider the specific context. In some cases, a more nuanced or professional alternative might be preferable.

What's the difference between "eager to listen" and "willing to listen"?

"Eager to listen" implies a strong enthusiasm and interest, while "willing to listen" simply suggests a general readiness and openness to hearing something.