keen fan

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keen fan" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone who is very passionate or enthusiastic about something. For example, "Karen is a keen fan of The Beatles and has all their albums."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Brown himself is a keen fan of America.

The Guardian

("Gurm" is a Nashville term for an invasively keen fan).

The New Yorker

As my mother (a keen fan of the show) says, "They're not really telling a story.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He was an avid reader of history, a keen fan of the World Series, and a man with an enormous interest in the well-being of others.

The New York Times

In 1974, when he worked in London for some months, he became (and still is) a keen fan of Arsenal football club.

The Economist

A variety of applications now mean the keen fan can see not just how their team performed but which players were most influential in the game.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

It's the people who've read all the books who are the really avid, keen fans.

The Guardian - Sport

Joel Richards, 19, his uncle Adrian Evans, 44, and grandfather Patrick Evans, 78, were all keen fans of the West Midlands club.

The Guardian

Keen fans of modernist housing estates (there are lots of us, actually) will have recognised the home of Madden's character, David Budd, as the Whittington in London.

The Guardian

While it may not appeal beyond keen fans of the show, if you're in that group it's definitely worth shelling out on.

The Guardian - Tech

The controversy over his country of origin has not troubled most of Hegarty's fellow nominees, with many being keen fans of his starkly emotional album.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone as a "keen fan", ensure the context clarifies what they are enthusiastic about. Specificity strengthens the statement and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "keen fan" to describe mild interest. The term implies a significant level of enthusiasm, so reserve it for individuals with genuine passion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keen fan" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "keen" modifies the noun "fan". It typically acts as a subject complement or appositive, describing someone with a strong interest. Ludwig provides examples illustrating this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "keen fan" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe someone with a strong interest or enthusiasm for something. As Ludwig confirms, it is correct and appropriate for use in a variety of contexts, particularly in news and media. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, it's important to ensure the level of enthusiasm matches the described individual. Consider alternatives like "avid enthusiast" or "dedicated follower" for nuanced expression. Ludwig's examples offer further insight into how the phrase is effectively used in real-world scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

big fan

Simplifies "keen fan" to "big fan", a more common and informal expression.

avid enthusiast

Replaces "fan" with "enthusiast" and "keen" with "avid", implying a strong and passionate interest.

devoted enthusiast

Swaps the words to emphasize the dedication over interest.

dedicated follower

Changes "fan" to "follower" and "keen" to "dedicated", suggesting loyalty and commitment.

passionate supporter

Replaces "fan" with "supporter" and "keen" with "passionate", emphasizing active backing and enthusiasm.

enthusiastic admirer

Uses synonyms for both words; "enthusiastic" instead of "keen" and "admirer" for "fan".

fervent follower

Replaces "keen" with "fervent" which indicates warmth and intensity of emotion.

ardent admirer

Substitutes "fan" with "admirer" and "keen" with "ardent", conveying a sense of deep appreciation and respect.

serious devotee

Replaces "keen" with "serious", which suggests a deeper and more committed level of fandom.

zealous devotee

Changes "fan" to "devotee" and "keen" to "zealous", indicating intense dedication and fervor.

FAQs

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

You can use "keen fan" to describe someone with a strong interest in something. For example, "She is a keen fan of classical music" or "He's a keen fan of the local football team."

What are some alternatives to saying "keen fan"?

You can use alternatives like "avid enthusiast", "dedicated follower", or "passionate supporter" depending on the context.

Is it okay to use "keen fan" in formal writing?

Yes, "keen fan" is generally acceptable in both formal and informal writing, but for very formal contexts, consider using a more elevated synonym such as "ardent admirer".

What's the difference between "keen fan" and "casual fan"?

A "keen fan" has a strong and active interest, while a "casual fan" enjoys something without deep commitment or enthusiasm. The level of engagement distinguishes the two.