keen sporting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keen sporting" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used in contexts discussing enthusiasm or passion for sports or athletic activities. Example: "His keen sporting spirit was evident as he cheered for his favorite team during the championship game."

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Both Laois and Armagh are committed to the playing of our games in the best possible spirit and look forward to the continuation of a keen, sporting rivalry".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Robards was evidently a keen sports fan.

The Guardian

It showed that Jóhannesson, who duly won by a large margin, has a sense of humour, and that he is a keen sports fan.

The Guardian

iPhone / iPad 850 Sports Digest (Free) If you're a keen sports fan, this is definitely worth a download: it provides a daily digest of sports news covering football, cricket, rugby union and league, tennis, golf, Formula 1 and others.

The Guardian - Tech

Every cultural project is emphatically cosmopolitan.The emir, a keen sports fan, has also brought an array of big-prize competitions to his state, including football, golf and tennis, that tempt the world's top players.

The Economist

According to her biography, she is a community councillor, parent councillor, and runs community social media sites, as well as being a keen sports fan in her spare time.

The Guardian

A keen sports fan, he has previously presented the Barclays-sponsored Premiership trophy to his beloved Chelsea, and generally cuts a far more flamboyant and outgoing figure than the more traditional, public school-educated Varley.

The Guardian - Business

If your children are keen sports fans, they will have a lot in common with South Africans.

BBC

Hutcherson played on the high school's soccer team and has been a keen sports enthusiast since, also displaying a passion for football and tennis.

Wikipedia

She is a keen sports woman and nature lover having achieved a triathlon, charity cycle ride in Cuba, Everest trek and Atlantic Ocean crossing.

Huffington Post

That particular family could be keen sports players, or they could just share a love of sports.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "keen sporting" is understandable, consider using alternatives like "enthusiastic about sports" or "passionate about athletics" for greater clarity and impact. Using adjectives that directly describe the enthusiasm or passion towards a particular sport or activity enhances understanding and provides a richer description.

Common error

Avoid consistently pairing "keen" with "sporting" across all contexts. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your descriptions by using other adjectives that highlight specific aspects of enthusiasm, like "passionate" or "dedicated".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keen sporting" primarily functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a strong enthusiasm or interest related to sports. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is uncommon, suggesting that alternative phrasings might be more conventional.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Wiki

14%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keen sporting" describes a strong interest and enthusiasm for sports. While grammatically correct, Ludwig suggests that it's not very common and can sound slightly awkward. Alternatives like "enthusiastic sports" or "passionate sports" may be more impactful. Usage is mostly found in news and media contexts. It serves to show some dedication and the usage of the word keen shows neutrality and is sometimes more formal than expected.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enthusiastic sports

Replaces "keen" with "enthusiastic", focusing more on excitement.

avid sports

Uses "avid" to indicate a strong interest and passion for sports.

passionate sports

Highlights the intensity of feeling towards sports.

dedicated sports

Emphasizes commitment and devotion to sports.

zealous sports

Indicates an intense and fervent enthusiasm for sports.

fervent sporting

Similar to zealous but conveys a warm intensity.

ardent sporting

Highlights a passionate and enthusiastic involvement in sports.

energetic sporting

Focuses on the active and lively aspect of sports enthusiasm.

spirited sporting

Conveys enthusiasm and liveliness in a sports context.

involved sporting

Emphasizes active participation and interest in sports.

FAQs

What does "keen sporting" mean?

The phrase "keen sporting" generally means having a strong interest and enthusiasm for sports. It can describe someone who is very involved in sports or who enjoys watching and following them.

What are some alternatives to "keen sporting"?

You can use alternatives like "enthusiastic sports", "avid sports", or "passionate sports" to express a similar meaning with slight variations in tone.

Is "keen sporting" grammatically correct?

Yes, "keen sporting" is grammatically correct, but it's not the most common or natural-sounding phrase. It might be perceived as slightly awkward compared to alternatives.

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

You can use "keen sporting" to describe a rivalry (Both Laois and Armagh are committed to the playing of our games in the best possible spirit and look forward to the continuation of a "keen sporting rivalry"). However, in most cases, it sounds better to rephrase the sentence.