interested in playing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "interested in playing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone has an interest in engaging in a particular activity or game. For example, "My little brother is interested in playing football."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He was more interested in playing football.

The New York Times

Congress is more interested in playing politics than solving problems.

The Economist

That's what got me interested in playing basketball.

The New York Times - Sports

Young girls are not "suddenly interested in playing team sports".

The New York Times

The player has said that he is not interested in "playing in the reserves".

Independent

While my parents valued education, I was more interested in playing soccer and rugby.

The New York Times

Besides, he added, many of the students are more interested in playing professionally.

The New York Times

Berg's Lone Survivor star Marg Wahlberg is reportedly interested in playing the lead.

The Guardian - Film

"And he became less interested in running government and more interested in playing politics".

The New York Times

He didn't recognise them and seemed more interested in playing with two discarded water bottle lids.

The Guardian - Travel

A mother-of-one, her son George appears to be more interested in playing than painting.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "interested in playing", ensure the context clearly defines what is being played. Be specific about the activity or game to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid replacing "in" with other prepositions like "at" or "to". It's grammatically correct to say "interested in playing", not "interested to play" or "interested at playing".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "interested in playing" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe someone's state of being or disposition towards participating in a particular activity. Ludwig provides many examples showcasing its widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

7%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "interested in playing" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase that describes someone's desire or enthusiasm for participating in a specific activity. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and applicable in various contexts, ranging from news reports to casual conversations. The phrase's neutral register and common usage across diverse sources like The New York Times, The Guardian, and Wikipedia, make it a reliable choice for expressing interest in playing. Remember to use the correct preposition "in" and clarify the activity to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity. While alternatives like "keen on playing" or "eager to play" exist, "interested in playing" remains a versatile and appropriate option for most situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have an interest in playing

A slightly more verbose and formal way of expressing the same idea.

keen on playing

Emphasizes enthusiasm or eagerness, slightly more informal.

eager to play

Highlights anticipation and excitement, shifting the focus to the action itself.

inclined to play

Suggests a leaning or predisposition, less forceful than "interested".

fascinated by playing

Indicates a strong attraction and captivation related to the act of playing.

desirous of playing

More formal and literary, indicating a strong wish or desire.

have a passion for playing

Expresses a deep enthusiasm and love for the act of playing.

willing to play

Focuses on consent or readiness, rather than intrinsic interest.

attracted to playing

Suggests an allure or appeal, implying a natural inclination.

amused by playing

Indicates enjoyment and entertainment derived from playing.

FAQs

How can I use "interested in playing" in a sentence?

You can use "interested in playing" to describe someone's enthusiasm for a game or activity. For example, "She is "interested in playing" the piano" or "They are "interested in playing" soccer this weekend".

What are some alternatives to "interested in playing"?

Alternatives include "keen on playing", "eager to play", or "inclined to play", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "interested to play" instead of "interested in playing"?

No, the correct form is "interested in playing". "Interested to play" is grammatically incorrect. The preposition "in" is required before the gerund form of the verb (playing).

What's the difference between "interested in playing" and "interested in games"?

"Interested in playing" implies a specific desire to participate in an activity. "Interested in games" is a broader interest that doesn't necessarily mean active participation. Someone "interested in playing" baseball wants to play, while someone "interested in games" may enjoy watching or collecting them.