keen on it

USAGE SUMMARY

"keen on it" is an idiomatic expression that can be used in written English.
It means to be enthusiastic or eager about something. Example: I'm so keen on it, I can't wait to get started.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The most unexpected person to play Bond may be Craig himself who – while not exactly sounding keen on it (at one point he said he would rather slash his wrists) – has not actually ruled out returning to the role.

The Guardian - Film

Google wasn't too keen on it either, seeing its potential to fork Android.

The Guardian - Tech

It sounded convincing in principle, but there was a problem in practice: no one in Cervinia seemed too keen on it.

Independent

Contractors aren't always keen on it, though.

The New York Times

He was offered counselling but he wasn't keen on it.

Independent

Its current Mac operating system release 10.7, dubbed Lion, also is none too keen on it.

The Economist

James McCartney, only son of Paul, seems very keen on it.

The Guardian - Music

JP: I can see why you are not keen on it.

The Guardian

Not keen on it as a cheese biscuit – better with a cuppa!

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It was his idea and he is obviously very keen on it.

The New York Times

A coalition between New Democracy and Syriza is also an option, though Tsipras is not keen on it.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "keen on it", ensure the context clearly establishes what "it" refers to, avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

While "keen on it" is generally acceptable, avoid using it in highly formal or academic writing where more precise language may be required. Consider alternatives like "supportive of" or "in favor of" in those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keen on it" functions as a subject complement, specifically an adjectival phrase, describing the subject's attitude or feeling towards something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it expresses enthusiasm or eagerness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "keen on it" is a common and generally acceptable way to express enthusiasm or interest. Ludwig AI confirms this idiomatic expression is suitable for written English. While its grammatical status is correct, it tends to be more informal and should be used judiciously in formal or academic contexts. Consider alternatives like "enthusiastic about it" or "supportive of it" in such settings. As evidenced by the examples on Ludwig, this phrase appears frequently in news and media, reflecting its widespread use in general communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enthusiastic about it

Replaces "keen" with a more direct synonym, "enthusiastic".

interested in it

Uses a more general term, "interested", to express a similar sentiment.

eager for it

Conveys a sense of anticipation and excitement.

excited about it

Expresses a feeling of thrill and anticipation.

fond of it

Suggests a liking or affection for something.

into it

A more informal way of saying someone is very interested or involved.

supportive of it

Implies approval and willingness to back something.

in favor of it

Expresses agreement and advocacy for something.

passionate about it

Indicates a strong and intense enthusiasm.

approving of it

Shows agreement and positive regard.

FAQs

What does "keen on it" mean?

The phrase "keen on it" means to be very interested in or enthusiastic about something. It implies a strong liking or eagerness.

What can I say instead of "keen on it"?

You can use alternatives like "enthusiastic about it", "interested in it", or "eager for it" depending on the context.

Is "keen on it" formal or informal?

"Keen on it" leans towards the informal side. While acceptable in many contexts, it might be better to use more formal alternatives like "supportive of it" or "in favor of it" in academic or professional settings.

How do I use "keen on it" in a sentence?

You can use "keen on it" in a sentence like this: "She's very keen on it, so I'm sure she'll agree to help." It usually follows a subject and a verb expressing a state of being (e.g. is, are, was, seems).