keenness

USAGE SUMMARY

"keenness" is an acceptable word in written English.
It can be used to express intense interest or desire, often in a spirited or enthusiastic manner. An example sentence would be, "The team's keenness to win was palpable in the stadium."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In academic life, keenness in being a manager is frowned upon.

The Guardian

A mere 30 minutes long, it maps the breakdown of a relationship, but rather than stewing in despondent aftermath there is a keenness to Michaelson's storytelling, there in the sharp cut of his lyrics, the humour, the precision of his vocabulary, that lifts these woebegone tales from the gloom.

The Guardian - Music

Russia's keenness for nuclear-backed bullying can be seen in its threats to launch pre-emptive strikes against American missile-defence sites due in Romania this year and in Poland in 2018.

The Economist

But her keenness on the referendums has put them off.

The Economist

By taking the role, Mr Xi again showed his keenness to put his stamp on the economic transformation.

The Economist

The Socialists, for example, have their own ideas about privatisation, and are sceptical about the government's avowed keenness to join NATO.

The Economist

While there is some sympathy for the idea that Mr Blair has been a restraining influence on the Americans, his closeness to Mr Bush and apparent keenness to go to war is disturbing to many Europeans in a way that Mr Schröder's quasi-pacifism and even Mr Chirac's Gaullist posturing are not.

The Economist

He also claims that his views are closer to the centre of Colorado politics: he is a fiscal conservative who supports choice on abortion and makes much of his keenness to protect Social Security from privatisation.In this respect, at least, Mr Strickland may have a point: Colorado is not as conservative as it is often cracked up to be.

The Economist

"We think the Americans have at last recognised that the sub-regional groups are beneficial— while we have convinced them of our keenness to go ahead with an FTAA," said Argentina's foreign minister, Guido di Tella.But the United States too won points.

The Economist

This week Amado Boudou, the economy minister, signalled the government's keenness by asking Congress to repeal a law that bans negotiations with those who rejected the 2005 deal.Investors representing about half of the remaining debt, on whose behalf the three foreign banks are mediating, have privately agreed to the proposed settlement.

The Economist

And he promised to lay out in more detail his case for wanting to remove Saddam Hussein in a speech to the UN's General Assembly on September 12th.Despite his keenness to remove Mr Hussein, the president does not seem to have chosen the means.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, consider the synonyms acuteness or astuteness when describing intellectual ability.

Common error

Avoid using "keenness" when describing a simple preference or liking. Reserve it for situations where there's significant enthusiasm or intense interest. For instance, saying "I have a keenness for coffee" is less appropriate than "I enjoy drinking coffee".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "keenness" is that of a noun, typically used to denote the quality of being eager, enthusiastic, or intellectually sharp. As evidenced by Ludwig, it effectively describes a state of intense interest or intellectual acuity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Encyclopedias

13%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "keenness" is a versatile noun used to describe enthusiasm, eagerness, or sharpness of intellect. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and highlights its common usage across diverse contexts, predominantly in news and media. When aiming to convey a strong positive attribute, "keenness" serves effectively, though synonyms like "eagerness", "enthusiasm", or "acuteness" may offer nuances better suited to specific situations. Mind appropriate contexts to avoid misapplication and elevate clarity in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

eagerness

This alternative focuses on enthusiastic anticipation and willingness.

enthusiasm

This term emphasizes intense and passionate interest.

avidity

Implies a strong desire or craving.

zeal

Highlights fervent passion and dedication.

ardor

This suggests a burning intensity of feeling or desire.

acuteness

Focuses on sharpness of intellect or perception.

sharpness

Highlights intellectual agility and quick understanding.

astuteness

Emphasizes shrewdness and insightful judgment.

sagacity

Implies wisdom and profound understanding.

discernment

Focuses on the ability to perceive subtle differences and make sound judgments.

FAQs

How can I use "keenness" in a sentence?

"Keenness" is typically used to describe a strong interest, enthusiasm, or sharp intellect. For example, "Her keenness for learning new languages was evident in her rapid progress."

What are some alternatives to "keenness" that I can use?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "eagerness", "enthusiasm", or "acuteness" to express a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "keenness to" or "keenness for"?

Both "keenness to" and "keenness for" are grammatically correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. "Keenness to" is used with verbs, whereas "keenness for" is followed by a noun.

What is the difference between "keenness" and "interest"?

"Interest" is a general feeling of wanting to know more about something, whereas "keenness" implies a stronger, more enthusiastic desire or passion. "Keenness" suggests a deeper level of engagement than simple "interest".