keen love

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keen love" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong or intense affection for someone or something. Example: "Her keen love for nature inspired her to become an environmentalist."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But he also had, from early on, a Betjemanian love of Englishness: he tells, touchingly, of schoolboy trips to see old churches and abbeys and of a keen love for Pre-Raphaelite art, that wistful-whimsical mode of nineteenth-century British painting.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The spirit of this place is infectious – they're always smiling, keen, loving what they do.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Great Love -- the kind that illumines and transforms us -- always includes a keen awareness of limitation as well.

Huffington Post

They seem very keen to love him, but their confidence in him just keeps being knocked.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"And then," says the narrator, "everything is bright and new and keen with love".

The New York Times - Books

The voice and mind of radio station WMCR, Oneida, NY. Bill will be remembered for his gregarious nature, keen intelligence, love and loyalty to friends and family.

The New York Times

The patients of Dr. Jaffe wish to express their deep sorrow at the loss of a great man who inspired and guided us with his humanity, understanding, keen intellect, love of life, and devotion to his work, seeing patients until the end.

The New York Times

Apps such as Mailbox and Haze have brought slick swipe-based controls to email and weather respectively; Camera+ has features that keen photographers love; Sunrise Calendar is a cleverer take on diary management; and Opera Mini will save you lots of money on roaming data charges, for example.

The Guardian - Tech

His keen intellect and love of debate will be missed.

The New York Times

With a keen intellect and love of debate, he attended City of London School then studied politics at the University of Warwick.

Independent

An astute businessman with a keen wit and love for people, he captured the hearts of all whom he encountered.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keen love" to express a particularly sharp or fervent kind of affection, often tinged with admiration or appreciation. It's more evocative than "strong love".

Common error

Avoid using "keen love" in situations where a more understated expression of affection is appropriate. It can sound overwrought or melodramatic if not used carefully.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keen love" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "keen" modifies the noun "love". It describes a specific quality or intensity of love, suggesting an enthusiastic or sharp affection. Examples from Ludwig, such as its use in describing a "keen love for Pre-Raphaelite art", support this function.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keen love" is a grammatically sound expression denoting a strong and enthusiastic affection. While Ludwig AI confirms its usability, its usage is less frequent than simpler alternatives like "strong love". It appears in various contexts, but more commonly in News & Media. When using "keen love", consider its slightly elevated tone and ensure it fits the context, avoiding overuse in overly sentimental situations. Alternatives like "intense affection" or "deep passion" may offer a more nuanced expression depending on the desired effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intense affection

Replaces "keen" with "intense", emphasizing the strength of feeling.

deep passion

Substitutes both words to convey a powerful emotional connection.

ardent fondness

Employs more formal language to denote warmth and affection.

strong liking

Uses more common terms for a simpler expression of affection.

fervent devotion

Implies a dedicated and enthusiastic love.

enthusiastic appreciation

Shifts the focus towards valuing or enjoying something greatly.

profound admiration

Suggests a love rooted in respect and high regard.

burning desire

Conveys a very strong and passionate form of love or attraction.

passionate interest

Indicates a strong and lively interest in something.

voracious appetite for

Describes a great eagerness and enthusiasm, often for knowledge or experience.

FAQs

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

You can use "keen love" to describe a strong and enthusiastic affection for something. For example, "He had a "keen love" for classic literature."

What's the difference between "keen love" and "strong love"?

"Keen love" suggests a sharper, more intense feeling compared to "strong love", implying a more enthusiastic or fervent appreciation.

What are some alternatives to "keen love"?

Alternatives to "keen love" include "intense affection", "deep passion", or "ardent fondness".

Is "keen love" a common phrase in modern English?

While grammatically correct, "keen love" is not as common as simpler expressions like "strong love" or "deep affection", tending to appear more frequently in literary or descriptive contexts.