how keen

USAGE SUMMARY

"how keen" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone is strongly interested in, or enthusiastic about, something. Example: "I am so impressed by how keen your daughter is to learn Spanish."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

How strong the lens, how keen the eyes.

The New Yorker

How keen are we to help protect the planet?

Independent

How keen is the US military to develop AI weapons?

MIT Technology Review

We are aware of how keen the minister is.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

We didn't realise quite how keen the others would be.

The Guardian - Books

That said, how keen will the attorney-general be to persevere?

The Economist

It is less clear how keen it is to regain the other two.

The Economist

How keen are you to receive notifications about your heart-rate throughout the day?

Independent

No matter how keen we are to keep going, the joints play up, the muscles sag.

The Guardian

I can appreciate how keen he now is to avoid making the same egregious mistakes twice.

The Guardian

It was tough going sometimes, but I learned how keen people are to help.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "how keen", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject is enthusiastic about. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence.

Common error

Avoid using "how keen" when a simple 'how interested' or 'how eager' suffices. "How keen" carries a stronger connotation of enthusiasm and should be reserved for contexts where that intensity is appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how keen" functions as an interrogative adverbial phrase modifying a verb, typically 'be'. It introduces a question about the degree of enthusiasm or interest someone has towards something. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how keen" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to inquire about someone's level of enthusiasm or interest. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts, but is also found in scientific and business writing. While interchangeable with phrases like "how eager" or "how interested", "how keen" often implies a stronger degree of enthusiasm. Use it confidently, but be mindful of the intensity you wish to convey and the formality of your context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how eager

Synonymous with "how keen", emphasizes anticipation and willingness.

how enthusiastic

Focuses more specifically on active and visible excitement or passion.

how fervent

Suggests a passionate and intense level of interest or dedication.

how intent

Focuses on purposefulness and determination in pursuing something.

how interested

Highlights a state of curiosity and attentiveness, less about eagerness.

how zealous

Implies a strong and unwavering commitment, sometimes bordering on fanaticism.

how willing

Emphasizes readiness and consent more than enthusiasm.

how inclined

Implies a tendency or predisposition toward something.

how disposed

Similar to 'inclined' but suggests a more settled attitude.

what degree of interest

A more formal and analytical way to inquire about someone's level of interest.

FAQs

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

"How keen" is used to inquire about someone's enthusiasm or interest in something. For example: "How keen are you on trying the new restaurant?"

What's a good alternative to "how keen"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "how eager", "how interested", or "how enthusiastic".

Is it better to say "how keen are you?" or "how interested are you?"

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "how keen are you?" implies a stronger level of enthusiasm than "how interested are you?" Choose the phrase that best reflects the level of interest you want to convey.

Can "how keen" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "how keen" can be used in formal writing, particularly when conveying a genuine sense of enthusiasm. However, in very formal contexts, consider alternatives like "what is your degree of interest?" for a more neutral tone.