it was interested

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was interested" is not correct in standard English.
The correct form would be "it was interesting" when describing something that captures attention or curiosity. Example: "The documentary was so engaging that it was interesting to watch from start to finish."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Great Hill Partners states on its Web site that it was interested in the acquisition because it reflected a way for it to profit from the housing downturn.

The New York Times

Nokia said it was interested in different ways of monetising its maps.

BBC

The RBS group said the deal it was interested in making was worth euro72 billion, but its offer is contingent on ABN keeping hold of LaSalle.

The Economist

Mr. Sege said it was interested in Valent's product as a tool for its own growth.

The New York Times

The consumer bureau indicated earlier that it was interested in the subject of predatory student loans.

The New York Times

FriendFinder Networks, owner of Penthouse magazine, said it was interested in making a bid for Playboy.

The New York Times

The new bank promptly said it was interested in further expansion.

The Economist

In May, Wachovia, America's fifth-biggest bank, said it was interested in expanding in credit cards.

The Economist

Meditrust, after acquiring this REIT status in November, said it was interested in hotels.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

This week the company said it was interested in taking a minority stake in Air France-KLM.

Forbes

And that it was interested in making its customers happy.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to express that an entity had curiosity, a desire, or a penchant for something, use grammatically correct alternatives like "it showed interest in", "it expressed interest in", or "it found [something] interesting". For instance, instead of writing "the company said "it was interested" in the deal", consider "the company expressed interest in the deal".

Common error

The phrase "it was interested" often incorrectly attempts to convey active engagement. Avoid this by using verbs that show action. Instead of saying "it was interested", which sounds passive and incorrect, use phrases that demonstrate active involvement such as "it showed interest" or "it expressed interest". This clarifies the subject's active role in being curious or engaged.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was interested" functions incorrectly as a descriptor of a subject's inclination or curiosity. It attempts to convey a state of being but fails grammatically. Ludwig AI flags this as incorrect, advising against its use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "it was interested" appears frequently across various sources, including news and media, it is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI identifies this and suggests opting for more appropriate alternatives. To accurately convey that a subject had an inclination or curiosity, use phrases like "it showed interest", "it expressed interest", or "it took an interest". When describing something that evokes curiosity, use "it was interesting" instead. By avoiding the incorrect phrasing and choosing grammatically sound alternatives, you enhance clarity and credibility in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it showed interest

Expresses the act of demonstrating curiosity or concern, shifting from a state of being to an action.

it expressed interest

Similar to 'it showed interest' but uses a more formal verb, highlighting explicit communication of interest.

it had an interest

Indicates a pre-existing inclination or investment in something, differing from a newly sparked curiosity.

it took an interest

Suggests a conscious decision to become engaged or involved, adding a layer of intentionality.

it found it interesting

Emphasizes the experience of discovering something appealing, rather than a general state of being inclined.

it was intrigued

Indicates a heightened level of curiosity or fascination, going beyond simple interest.

it was curious about

Specifies the focus of the interest as something yet to be known or understood, highlighting inquisitiveness.

it had a desire for

Indicates a yearning or longing for something, suggesting a more emotional investment.

it wanted to explore

Implies a proactive approach to learn more about something, adding a sense of adventure or investigation.

it saw potential in

Suggests an assessment of future possibilities, rather than a current state of engagement.

FAQs

Is "it was interested" grammatically correct?

No, "it was interested" is not grammatically correct. The correct phrasing to express curiosity or inclination would be "it showed interest", "it expressed interest", or, if you're describing something else, "it was interesting".

What's the difference between "it was interested" and "it was interesting"?

"It was interested" is grammatically incorrect. "It was interesting" describes something that evokes curiosity or holds appeal, while the corrected form to express having curiosity would be something like "it showed interest".

How can I rephrase "it was interested" to make it grammatically sound?

To correct "it was interested", consider alternatives like "it showed interest", "it expressed interest", or "it took an interest". The best choice depends on the specific context you wish to convey.

When should I use "it showed interest" instead of "it was interested"?

Always use "it showed interest" or similar correct phrases. "It was interested" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided. Alternatives like "it expressed interest" or "it took an interest" are also suitable replacements depending on context.