how eager

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "how eager" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express the degree of enthusiasm or willingness someone has towards a particular action or event. Example: "I was surprised by how eager the students were to participate in the science fair."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

How eager was Steinbrenner to look ahead?

The New York Times - Sports

He let her boss know how eager he was.

The New York Times

But how eager are we to do our bit?

Independent

How eager are the national parties to win control?

The New York Times

I'm always surprised at how eager kids are to learn".

The New York Times

Puneet Mehta, an Atlanta entrepreneur, remembers how eager he was to take the money.

The New York Times

He advised them to cultivate discipline, no matter how eager they were to change the world.

The New York Times

2 42 p.m. | Updated Just how eager are people to see Quentin Tarantino's latest, "Django Unchained"?

The New York Times

But how eager will American readers be to really confront them?

The New York Times - Books

The cameraman mentioned how eager he was to have a taste.

The New Yorker

And Harrison saw, first hand, how eager students were for the work.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "how eager" to effectively convey a character's or entity's level of enthusiasm or willingness. Ensure the context clearly indicates what they are eager for or to do.

Common error

Be specific about what the eagerness pertains to. Avoid using "how eager" in isolation without a clear object or action, as it can leave the reader wondering about the subject's motivation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how eager" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. It indicates the degree of enthusiasm or willingness associated with an action or state. As Ludwig shows, it commonly appears in questions or statements expressing surprise.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Formal & Business

9%

Science

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how eager" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express curiosity or highlight the level of enthusiasm or willingness someone possesses. As shown by Ludwig's analysis and the plentiful examples, it appears most often in news and media, but is suitable for most writing styles. Ludwig AI validates its use, suggesting it effectively conveys the intensity of desire, making it a versatile addition to one's vocabulary. Remember to be clear about what the eagerness pertains to for maximum impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how enthusiastic

Replaces "eager" with a synonym emphasizing excitement and positive energy.

how keen

Substitutes "eager" with a word that suggests enthusiasm and interest.

how willing

Replaces "eager" with a term that stresses readiness and consent.

how anxious

Replaces "eager" with a word suggesting a mix of excitement and nervousness.

how impatient

Replaces "eager" with a term suggesting restlessness and a desire for immediate action.

to what extent enthusiastic

Rephrases the query to emphasize the degree of enthusiasm present.

what degree of eagerness

Uses a more formal tone to inquire about the intensity of eagerness.

how anticipatory

Replaces "eager" with a word indicating anticipation and expectation.

how much anticipation

Focuses on the amount of anticipation present, rather than eagerness.

how avid

Replaces "eager" with a word suggesting intense enthusiasm and dedication.

FAQs

How can I use "how eager" in a sentence?

You can use "how eager" to express the level of enthusiasm someone has for something. For example, "I was surprised by "how eager" she was to start the new project."

What are some alternatives to using "how eager"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "how enthusiastic", "how keen", or "how willing" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "how eager"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a sentence with "how eager", especially when forming a question or expressing surprise about someone's enthusiasm. For example, "How eager are they to get started?"

What's the difference between "how eager" and "how anxious"?

"How eager" typically implies enthusiasm and positive anticipation, while "how anxious" suggests a mix of excitement and nervousness. Choose the word that best reflects the underlying emotion.