keen curiosity

USAGE SUMMARY

"keen curiosity" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It refers to a strong and intense desire to know or learn about something. Example: The young boy had a keen curiosity about the stars and spent many nights studying astronomy.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Nancy possessed a keen curiosity which led her to engage in many diverse intellectual endeavors.

The New York Times

Antonioni films London with a keen curiosity, capturing the serene, practical, and rigidly hierarchical street life in dramatic scenes of theatrical elegance.

The New Yorker

Syria expressed interest in reviving peace talks with Israel, the official said, and it showed keen curiosity in President Obama's offer of direct engagement with the Iranian government.

The New York Times

It developed in him a keen curiosity and a profound interest in the nature of travel itself, in "difference", and in dealing with strangers.

The Guardian - Books

His alert, agile camera moves through the byways of town and country with a keen curiosity and scans faces with inquisitive affection.

The New Yorker

He was a man of diverse interests, with a keen curiosity and a continual desire to expand the breadth of his knowledge and experience.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Dr. Crippen, in the custody of Inspector Dew and the provincial detectives excited the keenest curiosity.

The New York Times

So why not upend expectations, explore exotic repertory and present an unusual selection of songs that suit her distinctive soprano voice and engage her keen musical curiosity?

The New York Times - Arts

Given his keen musical curiosity, it's not surprising that he chose to make his Philharmonic debut with two unusual works.

The New York Times - Arts

He has put an enormous amount of information into this book and has invested it with a keen intellectual curiosity, so that we learn a great deal about the spiritual meaning of the Bible and the centuries of speculation about it as a historical document.

The New York Times - Books

Taken together, his scholarly work manifests a keen intellectual curiosity, phenomenological imagination, polymathic exploration and self-reflexivity.

Springer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keen curiosity" to emphasize a particularly strong and active interest, especially when someone is driven to explore or investigate a topic thoroughly.

Common error

Avoid using "keen curiosity" to describe a passing or superficial interest. The phrase implies a deeper, more engaged level of inquiry. For example, instead of saying "He showed a keen curiosity in the news", which suggests a fleeting glance, indicate actions, "He followed the news with keen curiosity", specifying the person's habit to read newspapers every day to find updates.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keen curiosity" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "keen" modifies the noun "curiosity". It describes a specific quality or characteristic – the intensity and sharpness of someone's inquisitive nature. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "keen curiosity" is a grammatically sound and readily understood phrase used to depict a potent and fervent yearning for knowledge. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage. While it finds application across a spectrum of contexts, it is most frequently observed in news media and academic spheres. To ensure precision, it is advisable to utilize it when denoting a profound and dynamic curiosity, rather than a mere casual interest. Consider synonyms like "strong interest" or "great inquisitiveness" for subtle differences in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strong interest

Replaces "curiosity" with "interest", shifting the focus slightly from active inquiry to a general feeling of wanting to know more and "keen" to "strong" makes the sentence less intensive.

intense interest

Replaces "keen" with "intense", heightening the sense of engagement and replaces "curiosity" with "interest", shifting the focus slightly from active inquiry to a general feeling of wanting to know more.

great inquisitiveness

Replaces both "keen" and "curiosity" to emphasize an active and questioning nature.

eager interest

Replaces "keen" with "eager", emphasizing the enthusiastic and impatient quality of curiosity and replaces "curiosity" with "interest", shifting the focus slightly from active inquiry to a general feeling of wanting to know more.

sharp interest

Replaces "keen" with "sharp", emphasizing the precise and focused quality of curiosity and replaces "curiosity" with "interest", shifting the focus slightly from active inquiry to a general feeling of wanting to know more.

boundless inquisitiveness

Emphasizes the unlimited nature of the desire to learn and explore.

deep fascination

Highlights the captivating and absorbing nature of the subject of interest.

burning desire to learn

Highlights the passionate and compelling nature of the desire to know.

unquenchable thirst for knowledge

Uses a metaphor to express an insatiable desire to learn.

probing mind

Focuses on the active and investigative nature of the intellect.

FAQs

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

You can use "keen curiosity" to describe someone who shows a strong and active interest in learning or exploring something. For instance, "Her "keen curiosity" about science led her to a career in research".

What are some alternatives to "keen curiosity"?

Alternatives to "keen curiosity" include "strong interest", "intense interest", or "great inquisitiveness". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "keen curiosity" formal or informal?

"Keen curiosity" is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. The level of formality depends more on the surrounding language and the overall tone of the piece.

What distinguishes "keen curiosity" from a simple "interest"?

"Keen curiosity" suggests a more active, intense, and focused engagement than a simple "interest". It implies a desire to delve deeper and actively seek out more information.