keen about

USAGE SUMMARY

"keen about" is correct and usable in written English.
It means that you have a great interest in something. You can use it when you want to express enthusiasm or passion for a certain activity. For example: "While some students dreaded the test, I was keen about it - it was an opportunity to show my knowledge."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"When he started running for office I wasn't too keen about him.

The New York Times

Nor are the carriers keen about having just two companies controlling a major part of their businesses.

The New York Times - Tech

He's not too keen about the fact that very little has trickled down in the form of jobs.

The Guardian - Opinion

Roman Hamrlik, the defenseman obtained from Edmonton in a trade last Saturday, was not too keen about joining the Islanders.

The New York Times - Sports

"I thought Jackson was really keen about the club scene but he just wanted to get into my knickers".

The Guardian - Books

Joetta was already 16 and a senior in high school when Hazel was born, and she was not keen about the prospect of baby-sitting.

The New York Times - Sports

She wasn't keen about taking the job at first, she said, never having seen a farmer, but she has found them all good, decent fellows.

The New Yorker

"I'm not so keen about someone making a buck off of global warming, but our options are limited at the moment.

The New York Times

Even he wasn't keen about carrying another vodka until he tasted it and considered the unusual packaging.

Forbes

The man's employer wasn't too keen about it either and fired him.

Huffington Post

"Investors in general are not very keen about human rights, but they are keen about social and security stability," said Shenety.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keen about" to convey a sense of enthusiasm or strong interest. It's suitable for expressing a positive attitude towards something, but ensure the context aligns with the level of excitement you wish to express. For example, use it when describing hobbies, interests, or projects you are excited about.

Common error

While "keen about" is widely accepted, avoid overusing it in highly formal writing where more sophisticated vocabulary may be preferred. Consider alternatives like "highly interested in" or "particularly invested in" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keen about" functions primarily as a predicate adjective, modifying a subject to express enthusiasm or strong interest. Ludwig's examples showcase its common usage in describing personal interests or attitudes towards various subjects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "keen about" is a versatile and widely used expression to indicate enthusiasm or strong interest. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, especially in news, media, and informal settings. While "keen about" is generally acceptable, it's best to consider the formality of the context and, when necessary, opt for alternatives like "enthusiastic about" or "highly interested in" for professional or academic writing. Ludwig's examples also highlight the phrase's prevalence in diverse publications, solidifying its status as a common and accepted expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enthusiastic about

Replaces "keen" with "enthusiastic", emphasizing a strong feeling of excitement.

eager for

Uses "eager" to highlight anticipation and excitement, switching the preposition to "for".

passionate about

Substitutes "keen" with "passionate", suggesting a deep, intense interest.

interested in

A more general term indicating curiosity or attention, less intense than "keen".

fond of

Implies affection or liking, a gentler form of enthusiasm than "keen".

devoted to

Indicates a strong commitment and dedication, more serious than simple interest.

crazy about

An informal way to express intense liking or infatuation.

wild about

Similar to "crazy about", suggesting uncontrolled enthusiasm.

excited by

Focuses on the stimulating aspect of something that generates enthusiasm.

gung-ho about

Suggests excessive enthusiasm and eagerness, sometimes to an extreme degree.

FAQs

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

You can use "keen about" to express enthusiasm or strong interest in something. For example, "She is "keen about" learning new languages" or "They are "keen about" the upcoming project".

What are some alternatives to "keen about"?

Alternatives to "keen about" include phrases like "enthusiastic about", "eager for", or "passionate about", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more common to say "keen on" or "keen about"?

While both "keen on" and "keen about" are used to express interest, "keen on" is more frequently used in British English, while ""keen about"" is also acceptable and understood in a broader context. Choose the phrase that best fits your intended audience and style.

What is the difference between "interested in" and "keen about"?

"Interested in" indicates a general level of curiosity or attention, while ""keen about"" suggests a stronger, more active enthusiasm and engagement. "Keen about" implies a higher degree of excitement and willingness to participate.