feign interest

USAGE SUMMARY

"feign interest" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are talking about someone pretending to be interested in something but not actually being interested. For example, "He feigned interest in the presentation, but I could tell he wasn't really interested."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Do you feign interest in something that you're not really interested in?

WikiHow

Otto runs around while I feign interest.

The New York Times

Tan doesn't feign interest in pop music.

Harvard University

Explain, and I'll try to feign interest.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But listen we must, so they will feign interest in our dreary stories, too.

The New York Times

He could feign interest in a band to make it look more attractive to a competitor.

The New York Times - Books

She was too disconsolate to feign interest and the wine was making her mood worse.

The Guardian

Send emails that are longer than two lines and include a question; feign interest.

The Guardian

It is hard even to get a doctor to feign interest.

The New York Times - Health

But how long must we continue to feign interest in early modern synonyms for "cock"?

The Guardian - Opinion

Though he tried to feign interest in my pathetic curriculum vitae, I could see that he was devastated.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "feign interest" when you want to subtly convey that someone is not genuinely interested in something, but is pretending to be. It often implies a degree of social obligation or politeness.

Common error

Avoid using "feign interest" when you mean someone is actually curious or engaged. "Feigning" implies a lack of sincerity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feign interest" functions as a verb phrase. It describes the action of pretending to be interested in something, even when one is not. This is supported by Ludwig, which provides examples where the phrase is used to describe insincere engagement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Wiki

8%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "feign interest" is a commonly used verb phrase that describes the act of pretending to be interested in something when one is not. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely applicable across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While often carrying a slightly negative connotation, suggesting insincerity, it can also be a necessary social tool. Related phrases include "fake interest" and "pretend to be interested". When using this phrase, it's crucial to ensure that you are accurately portraying a lack of genuine curiosity and not mistaking it for actual engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fake interest

Uses a more direct synonym for "feign".

pretend to be interested

Replaces "feign" with a more explicit verb phrase.

simulate interest

Employs a more formal synonym for "feign".

put on a show of interest

Indicates a deliberate performance of interest.

affect interest

Uses a concise verb to mean to pretend to have or feel something.

make a pretense of interest

Highlights the insincerity of the interest.

act as if interested

Focuses on the act of behaving as if interested.

give the impression of interest

Emphasizes the outward appearance of interest.

dissemble interest

Uses a more formal and less common synonym for "feign".

profess interest

Suggests a declaration of interest that may not be genuine.

FAQs

How can I use "feign interest" in a sentence?

You can use "feign interest" to describe someone pretending to be interested. For example, "He had to feign interest in his aunt's stories, even though he'd heard them many times before."

What's a more informal way to say "feign interest"?

Informal alternatives include "fake interest" or "pretend to be interested".

What does it mean to "dissemble interest", compared to "feign interest"?

"Dissemble interest" is a more formal way of saying "feign interest". Both imply a pretense of interest, but "dissemble" suggests a more calculated attempt to conceal one's true feelings.

Is it always negative to "feign interest"?

While "feign interest" often has a negative connotation, implying insincerity, it can also be a necessary social skill in situations where genuine interest is lacking but politeness is required.