listen with interest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "listen with interest" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means to pay attention and take an interest in what is being said or heard. Example: "The teacher encouraged the students to listen with interest during the guest speaker's presentation on environmental conservation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

He was magnificently intelligent -- widely read in history, all branches of science, and fluent in four languages--yet he suffered fools gladly, always willing to buy someone a drink and listen with interest to their troubles.

The New York Times

Listen with interest.

Forbes

So when he speaks, we listen with interest.

TechCrunch

Also, you will serve better the millions of us living too far from London to hear this kind of music, other than on Radio 3. Congratulations, though, on the remainder of the overwhelmingly classical programme, to which I shall listen with interest.

BBC

They may be skeptical, but they listen with interest.

HuffPost

I also listen with interest when someone responds, whether with a smile or a frown: It takes two to dialogue.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The lawyer taking the call, Mark F. Pomerantz, listened with interest.

The New York Times

Mr. Engelberger listened with interest and immediately seized on the significance of the new technology.

The New York Times

Also on hand was a sports nutritionist, Lauren Antonucci, who listened with interest to Love's remarks.

The New Yorker

An American lady who was sitting with her husband listened with interest and remarked.

The New Yorker

She's heard Artur Mas, she says, "and found myself listening, with interest.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "listen with interest" to convey genuine attentiveness and engagement in a conversation or presentation. It shows respect and encourages the speaker.

Common error

Don't just passively hear the words. To "listen with interest", actively engage by asking clarifying questions and providing thoughtful responses to show you're truly understanding the speaker's perspective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "listen with interest" functions as a verb phrase that describes the manner in which someone is listening. It indicates an active and engaged form of listening, showing attentiveness and curiosity. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through its examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "listen with interest" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe active and engaged listening. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, illustrating its usage across various contexts such as news, science, and business. While it appears more frequently in news and media, its neutral register makes it appropriate for both professional and casual conversations. Alternatives like "pay attention" or "listen closely" offer similar meanings. Remember to actively engage during listening to convey genuine interest and understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

listen closely

This alternative highlights the act of listening carefully and attentively.

hear attentively

This alternative replaces "listen" with "hear" and modifies "attentively" to emphasize careful listening.

pay attention

This phrase is a more direct and general way of saying to focus on what someone is saying.

be all ears

This idiomatic expression indicates eagerness and readiness to listen.

lend an ear

This alternative uses a more figurative expression to convey attentiveness.

heed carefully

This phrase suggests listening and also following the advice or instruction given.

give ear

This phrase is a more formal and somewhat archaic way of saying to listen carefully.

focus intently

This phrase emphasizes concentration and focus while listening.

take notice

While not directly related to listening, this phrase implies acknowledging and considering what is being said.

incline an ear

This is a more formal and literary way of saying to listen attentively.

FAQs

How can I use "listen with interest" in a sentence?

You can use "listen with interest" to describe someone paying close attention. For example, "The students "listened with interest" as the guest speaker shared their experiences."

What does it mean to "listen with interest"?

To "listen with interest" means to pay close attention to what someone is saying while also showing genuine curiosity and engagement.

What are some similar phrases to "listen with interest"?

Alternatives include "pay attention", "listen closely", or "be all ears", depending on the context.

Is it better to "listen with interest" or just listen?

Listening with interest implies a higher level of engagement and attentiveness compared to simply listening. It conveys that you are not only hearing the words but also actively trying to understand and appreciate what is being said.