express an interest

USAGE SUMMARY

'express an interest' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe someone's curiosity in or enthusiasm for a certain topic or subject. For example, "Dan expressed an interest in learning Spanish."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It is thought that other companies could express an interest in the unit.

The Guardian - Business

"So when people express an interest, which happens rarely but does..

The New Yorker

First, the buyer has to express an interest telephonically — in, say, a 22nd-floor two-bedroom.

The New York Times

One of the few Republicans to publicly express an interest in the job is Herman Cain.

The Guardian

"As soon as you express an interest in something, the opportunity is there".

The New York Times

I've never met Chinese people in Egypt who express an interest in changing the country.

The New Yorker

But he declined to either express an interest or rule out a potential bid.

The New York Times

Wolf says more than 450 groups have contacted her organisation to express an interest in setting up schools.

The Guardian

The mentees then express an interest in a mentor that has the right experience to meet their professional needs.

The Guardian

To Zawahiri's annoyance, imprisoned members of Al Jihad also began to express an interest in joining the nonviolence initiative.

The New Yorker

If the borrowers express an interest, a ClosingStream representative will call and explain the four-step process.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "express an interest", be specific about the object of interest to provide clear context and avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying 'They expressed an interest', specify 'They expressed an interest in the project's environmental impact'.

Common error

Avoid using "express an interest" when the interest is merely implied or assumed, rather than actively communicated. For instance, don't say 'Their silence expressed an interest' if they haven't explicitly stated or indicated their interest.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "express an interest" functions as a verb phrase. It is used to describe the action of communicating or indicating one's curiosity, enthusiasm, or inclination towards a particular subject, activity, or opportunity. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "express an interest" is a grammatically correct and highly versatile phrase used to communicate one's enthusiasm or inclination toward something. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability across numerous contexts. Appearing most frequently in news and media, but also common in scientific and formal business settings, it serves as a clear and direct way to indicate a desire for further engagement or information. While alternatives such as "show interest" and "indicate interest" exist, it's crucial to use the phrase actively rather than passively and to clarify the specific subject of interest for maximum clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

show interest

Replaces "express" with "show", indicating a similar but slightly less verbal demonstration of interest.

indicate interest

Uses "indicate" instead of "express", suggesting a more subtle communication of interest.

demonstrate interest

Employs "demonstrate" in place of "express", implying a more active and observable display of interest.

voice interest

Substitutes "express" with "voice", focusing on the act of verbally communicating one's interest.

register interest

Changes "express" to "register", suggesting a formal or official declaration of interest.

convey interest

Uses "convey" instead of "express", indicating a transmission of interest through various means.

manifest interest

Replaces "express" with "manifest", implying that the interest becomes apparent or obvious.

divulge interest

Substitutes "express" with "divulge", suggesting the revealing of a previously hidden interest.

air interest

Changes "express" to "air", meaning to make an interest public.

feel inclined

Signifies a feeling of willingness or a leaning towards something, similar to expressing an interest.

FAQs

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

You can use "express an interest" to indicate someone's curiosity or enthusiasm for a topic. For instance, "Many students "show an interest" in learning new languages."

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

You can use alternatives like "show interest", "indicate interest", or "demonstrate interest" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "express interest" or "express an interest"?

The correct phrase is "express an interest". The inclusion of the article "an" is necessary because "interest" is a singular countable noun in this context. Saying "express interest" is grammatically incorrect.

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

"Express an interest" implies actively communicating or showing your interest in something, whereas "have an interest" simply means you possess that interest, whether or not you communicate it. For example, you might "voice an interest" in a new job, but you may have an interest in photography without telling anyone.