keen to begin

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keen to begin" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express enthusiasm or eagerness to start something, such as a project or activity. Example: "After weeks of planning, I am finally keen to begin the new marketing campaign."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Several years ago, keen to begin researching a book I planned to write on the manuscript, I had travelled to Jordan after a week in Israel, where I was supposed to be working on an article about Arab soldiers who serve in Israel's army.

BBC

So the dialogue I'm keen to begin with other meat-eaters is not about vegetarianism, it's about vegetables.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

After many years with very little local investment here, the Forestry Commission was keen to begin a project that would benefit both the local community and visitors.

The Guardian - Travel

A native Briton who had spent five years in California, he was keen to begin placing reporters in overseas posts, and I was his first.

The Guardian - Tech

In a similar spirit to Ikea, there will undoubtedly be retailers keen to begin utilising wearable tech in their marketing campaigns.

The Guardian

In a Fifa interview to mark his first day in office, Infantino said he was keen to begin trials but emphasised the need to protect the flow of the game.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

The first few minutes saw Hull begin brightly, Stephen Quinn keen to get on the ball in his first appearance in almost two months due to hamstring trouble and Gedo looking to test Jozsef Varga down the Middlesbrough left.

Independent

And this time her friend kept her blissfully unaware that she was being set up, which she wasn't too keen on to begin with.

The New York Times - Style

Thewlis continued: "From our perspective it is no secret that the Giants were one of several clubs keen to sign Aaron at the beginning of this season.

BBC

Sogn up for the best of VICE, delivered to your inbox daily.

Vice

So why, I wonder, is he so keen to kill himself off? "The beginning of this performance is silent; it's about what has just been killed," says Mosquito, fixing me with a steady gaze.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keen to begin" when you want to convey enthusiasm and readiness to start a new project, task, or endeavor. It adds a touch of sophistication compared to simpler alternatives.

Common error

Avoid using "keen to begin" in very casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "eager to start" or "ready to go" may be more appropriate in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keen to begin" functions as an adjective phrase followed by an infinitive, expressing eagerness or enthusiasm towards initiating an action. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is grammatically correct and usable. Examples show its application in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

21%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "keen to begin" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that expresses enthusiasm and readiness to start something. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media, formal business settings, and even on wikis. Its neutral-to-slightly-formal register makes it versatile, though it should be used judiciously in very casual conversations. When seeking alternatives, consider phrases like "eager to start" or "ready to initiate" to match the tone and context effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Eager to commence

Replaces "keen" with "eager" and "begin" with "commence", offering a slightly more formal tone.

Enthusiastic to launch

Replaces "keen" with "enthusiastic" and "begin" with "launch", emphasizing excitement and the act of setting something in motion.

Anxious to start

Substitutes "keen" with "anxious" and "begin" with "start", implying a sense of anticipation and slight nervousness.

Looking forward to starting

Expresses anticipation and positive expectation about beginning something.

Eager to set about

Substitutes with "eager" and "set about", indicating enthusiasm and a practical approach to starting a task.

Ready to initiate

Replaces "keen" with "ready" and "begin" with "initiate", suggesting preparedness and a proactive approach.

Impatient to get going

Uses "impatient" instead of "keen" and "get going" instead of "begin", conveying a stronger sense of urgency and eagerness.

Willing to undertake

Changes "keen" to "willing" and "begin" to "undertake", indicating a cooperative and accepting attitude towards starting something.

Prepared to embark on

Uses "prepared" and "embark on", suggesting readiness and a sense of starting a journey or adventure.

Desirous of initiating

Replaces "keen" with "desirous" for a more formal tone and "begin" with "initiating", emphasizing a strong desire to start.

FAQs

How can I use "keen to begin" in a sentence?

You can use "keen to begin" to express your eagerness to start something. For example, "After completing the training, I am "keen to begin" my new role."

What can I say instead of "keen to begin"?

You can use alternatives like "eager to start", "anxious to begin", or "ready to initiate" depending on the context.

Is "keen to begin" formal or informal?

"Keen to begin" is generally considered to be neutral to slightly formal. It can be used in professional and personal contexts where you want to express enthusiasm in a refined way. If you want to sound even more formal you could use other alternatives such as "desirous of initiating".

Which is correct, "keen to begin" or "keen on beginning"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Keen to begin" implies eagerness to start an activity. "Keen on beginning" suggests you have a strong interest in starting a particular thing over a period of time, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the commencement.