keen on having

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keen on having" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about something that you are excited to obtain or acquire. For example, "I am keen on having my own car so I can get around town more easily."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some publishers, in particular the more commercial ones, are none too keen on having their content cached elsewhere, although most of their concerns have been dealt with: LOCKSS does not allow libraries to cache journals they have not subscribed to.

The Economist

Kraft is very keen on having players with high character.

The New York Times - Sports

Like other Swiss banks, UBS is not keen on having assassins as customers.

The Economist

Nor is he keen on having an everything-must-go sale.

The New York Times

Mr Miyunaga says he is very keen on having the French government as a co-shareholder.

The Economist

(Apparently, Sevigny is not too keen on having her makeup done).

The New York Times

For some reason, Radio 1 weren't keen on having Scottee on the programme.

The Guardian

Often related to them having a new partner who wasn't so keen on having that kid in the household.

Cornell University

There was no real reason given – perhaps they weren't very keen on having a foreigner singing songs about communism.

The Guardian

"I'm just really keen on having a good time, and making the most of this time," she said.

The New York Times - Sports

Yet within a year, his club, Hull, had sent him out on loan to humble Doncaster and did not seem very keen on having him back.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keen on having" to express enthusiasm or strong interest in obtaining or experiencing something. This phrase adds a touch of sophistication to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "keen on having" with abstract concepts or emotions. It's best suited for tangible objects or concrete experiences. For abstract concepts, consider using "interested in" or "focused on" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keen on having" functions as an adjective phrase followed by a preposition, modifying a noun or pronoun and indicating a strong interest or enthusiasm. Ludwig AI affirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

17%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

3%

HuffPost

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keen on having" is a versatile expression used to convey a strong interest or enthusiasm for acquiring or experiencing something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and widely accepted. With a neutral register, it fits seamlessly into various contexts, from news articles to everyday conversations. While "keen on having" is frequently found in "News & Media", it also appears in academic and informal writings. To convey the same sentiment, alternatives like "eager to acquire" or "very much want to have" can also be employed, tailoring the tone to specific needs. Remember, the key is to express a genuine interest in obtaining or experiencing something tangible or concrete.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very much want to have

Simplifies the phrase, directly expressing the desire to possess something.

interested in acquiring

Replaces "keen" with "interested", softening the intensity of desire while maintaining the focus on acquisition.

eager to acquire

Highlights enthusiasm towards acquisition, replacing "keen" with "eager" and focusing on the action of acquiring.

enthusiastic about obtaining

Focuses on enthusiasm while specifically mentioning the act of obtaining something.

excited to gain

Focuses on excitement related to gaining something, replacing "keen" with "excited" and focusing on the action of gaining.

desirous of possessing

Emphasizes the wish to possess something, offering a more formal tone compared to "keen on having".

anxious to receive

Conveys eagerness to receive, implying a sense of anticipation for something coming.

intent on securing

Stresses intention and securing, rather than just possessing, something.

longing to possess

Expresses a strong desire to possess, intensifying the feeling compared to "keen on having".

anticipating the arrival of

Highlights the anticipation of something arriving, shifting the focus to a future event.

FAQs

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

Use "keen on having" to express a strong desire or enthusiasm for possessing something or experiencing something. For example, "She is "keen on having" a garden of her own."

What are some alternatives to "keen on having"?

You can use alternatives such as "eager to acquire", "interested in acquiring", or "very much want to have" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "keen to have" or "keen on having"?

"Keen to have" and "keen on having" are both grammatically correct, but ""keen on having"" is often used when referring to the possession of something or experiencing something, while "keen to have" focuses more on the action of having. In short, both expressions are acceptable and their usage often hinges on stylistic preference and specific context.

What's the difference between "keen on having" and "desirous of possessing"?

"Keen on having" is a more casual and commonly used phrase, while "desirous of possessing" is more formal and emphasizes a deep-seated wish. The choice depends on the tone you wish to convey.