lose interest

USAGE SUMMARY

"lose interest" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used when you want to express the idea that someone has stopped caring about a particular topic, activity, or person because they are no longer invested in it. For example, "The students quickly lost interest in the lecture when the professor began to drone on."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"People lose interest real fast".

The New York Times - Sports

Without drama, people lose interest".

The New York Times - Sports

Consumers could lose interest, too.

The New York Times

Would he lose interest?

The New York Times

The tribesmen lose interest.

The Guardian - Travel

In interviews, I often lose interest early.

The New York Times

Even consumers may quickly lose interest.

The Economist

Would I lose interest just as easily?

Independent

When did we lose interest?

The New York Times

Would you lose interest otherwise?

The New York Times - Arts

"Decent teachers just lose interest".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lose interest" to clearly indicate a decline or cessation of someone's engagement or enthusiasm in a specific topic or activity.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "lose interest" with "loose interest". "Loose" refers to something not tightly fastened, while "lose" is the correct verb to use when describing a decline in interest.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lose interest" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating a decline or cessation of engagement or enthusiasm. Ludwig shows that it's used to express a lack of continued interest in something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lose interest" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a decline in enthusiasm or engagement. According to Ludwig, it's used across various contexts, from news articles to general writing, with a neutral formality. The phrase effectively conveys a change in attitude, indicating that someone is no longer as invested in a particular subject or activity. It's important to avoid confusing it with "loose interest". Alternatives like "become disinterested" or "lose enthusiasm" can be used to add nuance. Understanding its usage can help writers clearly express changes in engagement and maintain clarity in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stop caring about

Directly indicates a lack of concern or investment.

lose enthusiasm

Highlights the decline in positive feeling and excitement.

get bored with

Directly expresses feeling of boredom

become disinterested

Focuses on the process of losing interest rather than the state.

cease to care

Highlights indifference or lack of concern.

grow tired of

Indicates increasing weariness or boredom.

disengage from

Emphasizes detachment or withdrawal.

lose your focus

Emphasizes the inability to maintain concentration.

become apathetic

Reflects a state of indifference or lack of emotion.

lose appetite for

Focuses on a decline of enthusiasm or desire for something.

FAQs

How can I use "lose interest" in a sentence?

You can use "lose interest" to describe a decline in someone's enthusiasm or engagement. For example, "The students began to "lose interest" when the lecture went overtime."

What are some alternatives to saying "lose interest"?

Alternatives include "become disinterested", "lose enthusiasm", or "grow tired of" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "lost interest"?

Yes, "lost interest" is the past tense form of "lose interest" and is grammatically correct. For example, "He lost interest in the project after the first week."

What is the difference between "lose interest" and "lose focus"?

"Lose interest" implies a decline in enthusiasm or concern, while "lose focus" suggests a difficulty in maintaining concentration or attention on a specific task or topic.