keen on asking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keen on asking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong interest or enthusiasm for inquiring about something. Example: "She is keen on asking questions during the lecture to deepen her understanding of the topic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But this was not a woman keen on asking questions.

The New York Times - Books

Gabriel, my eight-year-old, is the one who's most keen on asking me, 'Let's bake something.' He loves icing everything and decorating it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

But Apple isn't too keen on anyone asking questions about AuthenTec.

The New York Times

Patient: Mmm … I am not keen on taking antibiotics.

BMC Medical Education

He isn't keen on paying the £16m asking price in case it doesn't work properly when he gets home.

The Guardian - Sport

Asked for an opinion – and local radio reporters keen on advancement are prone to ask politicians for their opinions – he may find he knows nothing of the "One Direction pot shame" involving poor Louis, because that's in the Mirror.

The Guardian

He didn't seem too keen on moving when the cops asked him to.

Vice

Not keen on that one?

The Guardian - Sport

As Vulture notes, Snyder wasn't too keen on directing "Star Wars: Episode VII" when asked about it last year.

Huffington Post

That North Koreans aren't too keen on speaking to Westerners and want to avoid anyone asking awkward questions about workers' rights.

Vice

Wit, too: this is a dramatist who asks why, if God was so keen on turning the other cheek, he ejected Lucifer from Heaven.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "keen on asking", ensure that the context clearly indicates what the subject is eager or enthusiastic to inquire about. Providing specific details enhances clarity.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "keen on asking" can sound slightly informal. In professional or academic writing, consider using more formal alternatives such as "desirous of inquiring" or "showing a strong interest in questioning" to maintain a more elevated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keen on asking" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe someone's eagerness or enthusiasm to ask questions. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in describing a person's inclination towards questioning.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "keen on asking" describes someone who is enthusiastic about questioning. While grammatically correct and understandable, it's a relatively rare expression, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is found in neutral contexts, such as news and scientific articles. Though acceptable in many situations, more formal alternatives might be preferable for academic or professional writing. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is usable in written English, signifying a strong interest in inquiring about something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

eager to inquire

Replaces "keen" with "eager" and "asking" with "inquire", focusing on a strong desire to ask.

enthusiastic about questioning

Substitutes "keen" with "enthusiastic" and "asking" with "questioning", highlighting positive sentiment towards inquiry.

interested in inquiring

Uses "interested" instead of "keen", presenting a general sense of curiosity.

desirous of knowing

Replaces the entire phrase with a more formal expression indicating a wish to gain knowledge.

inclined to question

Indicates a natural tendency to ask questions or challenge assumptions.

disposed to inquire

Similar to "inclined to question" but suggests a more deliberate and considered approach to asking.

wanting to know

A simpler, more direct way to express the desire to ask and receive information.

curious to ask

Emphasizes the feeling of curiosity as the primary motivation for asking.

having a strong interest in questioning

Expands the phrase to explicitly state the presence of significant interest in questioning.

showing great curiosity about inquiry

Focuses on displaying an attitude of curiosity towards the act of inquiry itself.

FAQs

What does "keen on asking" mean?

The phrase "keen on asking" means to be very interested in or enthusiastic about asking questions. It implies a strong desire to inquire or seek information.

How can I use "keen on asking" in a sentence?

You can use "keen on asking" to describe someone who is eager to inquire. For example: "The student was "keen on asking" the professor about the research methodology."

What are some alternatives to "keen on asking"?

Some alternatives to "keen on asking" include "eager to inquire", "enthusiastic about questioning", or "interested in inquiring". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "keen on asking" formal or informal?

The phrase "keen on asking" is generally considered slightly informal. While acceptable in many contexts, more formal alternatives might be preferable in academic or professional writing.