foment interest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "foment interest" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of encouraging or promoting interest in a particular subject or activity. Example: "The organization aims to foment interest in environmental conservation through various community programs."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The first semester is specifically intended to foment interest in research, provide a modicum of exposure to the laboratory or field, and develop basic practical experience in designing and interpreting experiments.

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

It just doesn't foment very interesting music.

The Guardian - Music

"If I am a giant multinational, and I hear the terms are going to change, then it is in my interest to foment criticism, to say I am going to go away".

The New York Times

Background noise generated by bloggers and analysts who have a vested interest in fomenting crisis is disruptive to the work of Congress.

The Guardian

BERLIN — The charges of bribery of Government officials by members of the Krupp firm have momentarily sunk into insignificance compared with new charges launched against German armament interests of fomenting international rivalries and ill-feeling.

The New York Times

The Arab-Israeli conflict, according to Petraeus, "present[s] distinct challenges to our ability to advance our interests," and "foments anti-American sentiment, due to a perception of U.S. favoritism for Israel".

Huffington Post

The Chinese government ordered the deletion of all print and broadcast stories on the topic; In an editorial, the Communist Party run Global Times attacked the Nobel Peace Prize as a "political tool of Western interests" that was being used to foment "endless political strife in Chinese society, causing a Soviet-style breakup".

Wikipedia

All the incentives in this parliament push the opposition in the direction of mischief rather than productive compromise – Bill Shorten is going to have to decide the balance between public interest and the Labor party's political interest in fomenting discontent in the Coalition's already febrile ranks.

The Guardian

She said that despite his lack of a criminal history, his refusal to pay grazing fees going back nearly two decades and his fomenting of the armed standoff made it clear that Bundy has little interest in complying with federal court orders.

The Guardian

Many blamed his assassination on a rising climate of fear and nationalistic hatred fomented by government propaganda (see article).Ukraine's central bank raised its key interest rate from 19.5% to 30% in an effort to halt the slide of the hryvnia.

The Economist

In a nationally televised speech on Thursday, Ayatollah Khamenei accused the United States of trying to foment disorder here and warned protesters that the government would be merciless against those acting in the interests of foreign powers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "foment interest" when you want to emphasize actively encouraging or stimulating interest, often in a specific field or area. It implies a deliberate effort to make something more appealing or engaging.

Common error

Avoid using "foment interest" in casual conversation. Opt for simpler phrases like "spark interest" or "get someone interested" in informal settings where the formality of "foment" might sound out of place.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "foment interest" functions as a verb phrase, where "foment" acts as a transitive verb taking "interest" as its direct object. It describes the action of actively stimulating or encouraging interest in something. Ludwig highlights the usage in academic contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "foment interest" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that describes the act of actively encouraging or stimulating interest in something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and offers context from academic and news sources. While not overly common, it's appropriate for neutral to formal settings. Consider alternatives like "cultivate interest" or "spark curiosity" depending on the context and desired nuance. When using "foment interest", ensure it aligns with the overall tone and audience to maintain clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encourage enthusiasm

A more direct way of saying foment, placing emphasis on optimism.

cultivate interest

Implies a more gradual and nurturing approach to developing interest.

awaken interest

Suggests bringing an existing, but dormant, interest to the surface.

spark curiosity

Focuses on initiating curiosity rather than actively encouraging interest.

stimulate curiosity

Similar to "spark curiosity" but with a slightly more active connotation.

promote engagement

Focuses on encouraging active participation and involvement.

stir enthusiasm

Emphasizes creating excitement and passion.

generate excitement

Highlights the creation of enthusiasm and eagerness.

ignite passion

Suggests a sudden and intense burst of interest or enthusiasm.

foster awareness

More about making people know something that they did not know before.

FAQs

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

You can use "foment interest" to describe actions taken to encourage enthusiasm or curiosity in a particular subject. For example, "The university offers introductory courses to foment interest in science among young students."

What are some alternatives to "foment interest"?

You can use alternatives like "spark curiosity", "cultivate interest", or "generate excitement" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "foment interest" formal or informal?

The phrase "foment interest" leans towards formal usage. In more casual contexts, it may be better to use phrases like "spark interest" or simply "get someone interested".

What's the difference between "foment interest" and "create interest"?

"Foment interest" implies actively encouraging or stimulating an existing but perhaps dormant interest, while "create interest" suggests generating interest where none previously existed. "Foment interest" suggests a proactive approach in nurturing existing curiosity.