especially keen on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "especially keen on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong interest or enthusiasm for something specific. Example: "She is especially keen on learning new languages and often practices in her free time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But they are especially keen on one-upmanship and novelty.

The Economist

One doesn't get the impression that Yehudi Menuhin was especially keen on competitions – and yet he started one himself.

The Guardian - Music

Freedman's especially keen on having older Americans mentor and assist younger ones, especially at-risk youth.

Forbes

China is especially keen on advanced technology.

The Economist

You seem especially keen on Bestfoods.

The New York Times

I'm especially keen on coconut dessert soup.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Republicans in the new Congress are especially keen on tough enforcement.

The New York Times

Scottish cities, it turns out, are especially keen on watching Oscar winners.

Independent

Chile has been especially keen on this approach: it recently opened three new semi-private prisons.

The Economist

Bose's aunt was especially keen on the idea of the film.

The Guardian - Film

Germany and France have been especially keen on such meddling, which has a miserable record of success.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "especially keen on" to convey a strong preference or enthusiasm, ensuring the context aligns with the level of formality. For increased clarity, follow with a specific explanation of what you're keen on.

Common error

Avoid using "especially keen on" in highly formal documents. While grammatically correct, alternatives like "particularly interested in" or "highly interested in" might be more appropriate for maintaining a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "especially keen on" functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, expressing a strong degree of enthusiasm or interest. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and widely used. It often precedes a noun or gerund to specify the object of interest.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

12%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "especially keen on" is a grammatically correct and commonly used way to express a strong interest or enthusiasm. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a versatile phrase appearing in diverse contexts, though slightly informal for highly formal writing. When writing, consider your audience and the desired tone when selecting this phrase or more formal alternatives like "particularly interested in". Ludwig shows that the phrase frequently appears in News & Media, Formal & Business and Science.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

particularly interested in

Emphasizes specific interest, slightly more formal.

highly interested in

Similar to "particularly interested in", slightly more formal.

very enthusiastic about

Highlights a strong, positive feeling; more emotional.

passionate about

Suggests a deep, intense interest or commitment.

a big fan of

More informal, implies liking something a lot.

very fond of

Implies affection or liking over time.

intrigued by

Highlights curiosity and fascination.

drawn to

Suggests attraction and interest.

have a preference for

Indicates a choice based on liking something more.

take a shine to

Informal, suggests a sudden liking.

FAQs

What does "especially keen on" mean?

The phrase "especially keen on" means to have a particular enthusiasm or strong interest in something. It indicates a preference or liking that is stronger than average.

How can I use "especially keen on" in a sentence?

You can use "especially keen on" to describe your strong interest in a topic, activity, or object. For example, "She is "especially keen on" learning new languages." It's used to convey a heightened level of interest.

What can I say instead of "especially keen on"?

You can use alternatives like "particularly interested in", "very enthusiastic about", or "highly interested in" depending on the context.

Is "especially keen on" formal or informal?

The phrase "especially keen on" is generally considered to be neutral to slightly informal. While acceptable in many contexts, more formal alternatives like "particularly interested in" may be preferable in highly formal writing.