keen

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keen" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express enthusiasm, eagerness, or a strong interest in something. Example: "She has a keen interest in environmental conservation and often volunteers for related projects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was keen.

The Guardian

Chief executives of companies such as Burberry, Tesco, Vodafone, BAE Systems, Prudential and GSK were keen to take a final opportunity to lobby the prime minister in advance of the meeting of political leaders in Northern Ireland.

The Guardian - Tech

John, London at Dawn Anthony is a fantastic teacher, not just for his technical skill and keen eye but also his enthusiasm and passion for photography which is highly infectious!

The Guardian

Breen, currently writing his personal story of life as a policeman during the conflict, said: "I had approached numerous RUC officers who were keen to leave a living record of what went on in their fight against terrorism over the years.

The Guardian

By the time the war started, though, he was a country landowner, aged 48: despite his age, he was keen to be involved.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Visas can be arranged through Footloose Sea kayaking was invented in Greenland by Inuit hunters as a means of pursuing seals and whales, but today it is growing in popularity among holidaymakers keen to get up close to the majestic icebergs around the coast.

The Guardian - Travel

You can batch cook meals for up to a month if you're really keen.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It is easy to see now why Norwich were so keen to headhunt the man who regularly scalped Scotland's top sides after guiding Hamilton to the top-flight last season.

The Guardian - Sport

Pollsters say the young are particularly keen to keep it that way.

The Guardian

Erin Klein, who tracks US radio stations for the Broadcasting Board of Governors, was relieved to be returning to the office and keen to check on the status of the database she manages.

The Guardian

Despite relegation, the West Sussex club were keen for Saunders to remain as manager and talks were planned with the Crawley chief executive, Michael Dunford, for later this week.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keen" to convey enthusiasm or sharpness, ensuring it fits the context—whether describing someone's eagerness or the edge of a blade.

Common error

While "keen" is versatile, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise synonyms like "acute" or "eager" to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "keen" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe qualities like enthusiasm, sharpness, or intensity. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it highlights a specific characteristic or state of the noun it modifies.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Sport

15%

Travel

7%

Less common in

Lifestyle

6%

Film

3%

Opinion

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "keen" is a versatile adjective, frequently used to express enthusiasm, sharpness, or intensity across various contexts. As Ludwig AI highlights, it appears most commonly in news, sports and travel writing, and is considered grammatically correct and appropriate for neutral registers. While "keen" is generally acceptable, remember to consider the specific context and choose synonyms like "eager" or "acute" in more formal settings. The high frequency and varied applications of "keen" make it a valuable addition to one's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

eager

Implies a more forward anticipation or impatience compared to "keen".

enthusiastic

Focuses more on the intensity of feeling and excitement.

ardent

Suggests a more passionate and fervent interest.

interested

A more general term for showing concern or curiosity.

sharp

Emphasizes mental acuity or a cutting edge.

acute

Refers to a high degree of perception or sensitivity.

passionate

Highlights deep emotion and strong conviction.

avid

Indicates a great enthusiasm or eagerness for something.

fervent

Conveys a warm intensity of feeling, zealous.

intent

Signifies a focused and determined approach.

FAQs

How can I use "keen" in a sentence?

You can use "keen" to describe enthusiasm (e.g., "She is keen to learn new things"), sharpness (e.g., "He has a keen eye for detail"), or intensity (e.g., "There was a keen wind blowing").

What are some alternatives to the word "keen"?

You can use alternatives like "eager", "enthusiastic", or "interested" depending on the context.

Is "keen on" the same as "interested in"?

"Keen on" is similar to "interested in" but often implies a stronger sense of enthusiasm or desire. For example, "I'm keen on learning more about the topic" suggests more excitement than "I'm interested in the topic".

Which is the correct phrase: "keen to" or "keen on"?

Both "keen to" and "keen on" are correct, but they are used differently. "Keen to" is followed by a verb (e.g., "keen to learn"), while "keen on" is followed by a noun or gerund (e.g., "keen on learning", "keen on the idea").