interesting

USAGE SUMMARY

"interesting" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something or someone that stimulates curiosity or holds your attention. For example: "The lecture was interesting and I learned a lot of new things."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sport

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

With just 4% of Britain's sports reports written by women, Balding proved that they could be well-informed, interesting and interested in a male-dominated field.

The Guardian

He was interested, he wrote well and had interesting views, but he didn't stick out as exceptional".

The Guardian

"It's very interesting".

The New York Times - Sports

That was interesting.

The New York Times

It's really interesting".

The New York Times - Magazine

But, as usual, I will also be flagging up any breaking political news, posting summaries with a round-up of all the day's developments, and highlighting the most interesting political articles on the web.

The Guardian

Sandi Toksvig, who launched WEP last month, said her decision to leave the News Quiz for politics was because: "It's very interesting that most of the mainstream parties seem to treat women's issues as if we were a minority group rather than in fact what we are, which is the majority of the country … you get childcare talked about as if it was only a woman's issue".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Creative and intellectual, she is extremely interesting in race and culture.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We will use the most interesting contributions in our election reporting.

The Guardian

"We've had some good talks as well and it's been very interesting to hear the process, how they've been working the last seven, eight months.

The Guardian - Sport

We did an interesting collaboration with Jasper Garvida, a designer who won season three of Project Catwalk [a reality TV series].

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "interesting" when you want to express that something sparks curiosity or holds attention. Consider stronger synonyms like "intriguing" or "fascinating" when a more impactful word is needed.

Common error

Avoid using "interesting" as a generic positive descriptor. Instead, be specific about why something is interesting – is it thought-provoking, surprising, or informative?

Linguistic Context

The word "interesting" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something that arouses curiosity or holds attention. Ludwig AI indicates that it's correct and widely usable. For example, "an interesting conversation" or "interesting views."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Lifestyle

15%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Books

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "interesting" is a common and correct adjective used to describe something that evokes curiosity or attention. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. While it appears most frequently in News & Media contexts, it's versatile enough for various registers. To enhance writing, avoid overuse and consider stronger synonyms like "intriguing" or "fascinating" for greater impact. Understanding its nuances and alternatives can significantly improve clarity and engagement in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fascinating

Indicates a strong level of interest and attraction.

intriguing

Emphasizes the mysterious or fascinating aspect.

engaging

Focuses more on the captivating quality of something.

absorbing

Highlights the capacity to fully occupy one's attention.

captivating

Stresses the ability to hold attention.

compelling

Conveys a sense of irresistible attraction or force.

thought-provoking

Highlights the stimulating of contemplation.

curious

Implies a sense of inquiry or oddity.

noteworthy

Highlights the importance or significance.

remarkable

Suggests something exceptional or unusual.

FAQs

How can I use "interesting" in a sentence?

You can use "interesting" to describe something that evokes curiosity or holds your attention, for example: "That's an interesting point of view."

What are some alternatives to saying "interesting"?

You can use alternatives like "intriguing", "fascinating", or "engaging" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "interesting" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "interesting" when you want to convey that something has caught your attention or sparked your curiosity. However, consider using more descriptive words if possible.

What's the difference between "interesting" and "fascinating"?

"Interesting" suggests something is worth noting or considering, while "fascinating" implies a stronger sense of captivation and intrigue.