keen at

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keen at" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone who is very skilled or enthusiastic about something. Example: Sarah is very keen at playing the piano, she practices for hours every day.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

But until that report comes back, I'm not keen at the minute.

Independent

That keeps prices keen, at just £1,165 for a season ticket.

The Guardian

Killian, keen at this stage it seems to keep up a good relationship with his contractor, declines and teleports Dra'Gar and fulfils his contract.

The Guardian - Tech

Being able to render the folds in white linen had for centuries been the test of an artist's virtuosity, and Millais was still keen at this point to build a reputation.

The Guardian - Arts

Maybe I'll go find someone who's not very keen at all.'".

Vice

Studio Canal owned the rights and had approached the director, Luca Guadagnino (of I Am Love fame), several times about remaking it, but he wasn't so keen at first to do it.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Our senses are still hitched to natural phenomena and are keenest at night.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Generally, polls put the number of Welsh people keen on independence at around 10%.

The Guardian

Mainstream politicians are seen to be too self-interested, too keen to win at any cost.

The Guardian - Opinion

Radiohead's front-man wasn't entirely keen to perform at Glastonbury back in 1997.

BBC

"I wasn't too keen on the union at first," explained Navarro, a registered Republican.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keen at" when you want to emphasize both enthusiasm and a degree of skill or aptitude in a particular area. It implies more than just interest; it suggests a proactive engagement and competence.

Common error

Avoid using "keen at" when you only want to express interest without implying any skill or aptitude. Opt for alternatives like "interested in" or "enthusiastic about" if skill isn't part of what you're conveying.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keen at" functions as an adjective phrase followed by a preposition, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe someone's aptitude and enthusiasm for something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "keen at" is a grammatically correct and accepted phrase used to describe someone who is both enthusiastic and skilled in a specific area. Ludwig AI analysis of numerous examples confirms its validity. While not extremely frequent, it appears most commonly in news and media sources. When using "keen at", ensure that you intend to convey both interest and competence, and consider alternatives like "adept at" or "enthusiastic about" when a different nuance is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adept at

Focuses specifically on skill or proficiency in a certain area, rather than general enthusiasm.

good at

Implies a level of competence or skill, possibly without enthusiasm.

skilled in

Emphasizes competence, suggesting a high level of ability.

proficient in

Highlights a formal level of skill.

adept in

Highlights a formal level of skill.

enthusiastic about

Highlights excitement and interest, rather than necessarily implying skill.

interested in

Indicates a general level of curiosity or concern about something.

passionate about

Expresses a strong feeling of dedication and excitement.

fond of

Indicates a liking or affection for something.

inclined towards

Suggests a predisposition or tendency.

FAQs

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

You can use "keen at" to describe someone who is both enthusiastic and skilled in a particular activity. For example, "She is very "keen at" solving complex problems."

What's a good alternative to "keen at"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "adept at", "skilled in", or "enthusiastic about".

Is it always appropriate to use "keen at"?

While "keen at" is grammatically correct, it's best suited when describing someone who possesses both enthusiasm and a level of skill. If only interest is intended, consider "interested in".

How formal is the phrase "keen at"?

The phrase "keen at" falls into the neutral to slightly informal register. You can use it in news articles, general writing, and conversation. For highly formal contexts, consider alternatives like "proficient in".