not very keen

USAGE SUMMARY

"not very keen" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe someone's lack of enthusiasm or willingness for something: "I'm not very keen on the idea of going to the amusement park this weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

I'm not very keen on these ideas.

The Guardian - Opinion

Voters nowadays are not very keen on Mr Koizumi.

The Economist

That rose requires ladder work, which I'm not very keen on.

Independent

"The gimmicky thing I'm not very keen on," Mr. Blahnik said last week from London.

The New York Times

Even the Liberal Democrats are not very keen on the mansion tax, and they invented it.

The Guardian - Opinion

We are not very keen on councils (or elected mayors) any longer.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

Actually the Laotians aren't very keen on warfare.

The New Yorker

Not surprisingly, American executives aren't very keen on the idea.

Independent

"I wasn't very keen on the back-stabbing comment," Lord Bell said.

Independent

I did suggest a game of cards but they weren't very keen!

The Guardian

The Tories' Liberal Democrat coalition partners aren't very keen on the goal anyway.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not very keen" to express a mild lack of enthusiasm or preference. It's suitable for situations where you don't want to sound overly negative or critical.

Common error

While acceptable in many contexts, "not very keen" can sound too informal for academic papers or business reports. In such cases, consider more formal alternatives like "somewhat unenthusiastic" or "less inclined".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not very keen" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a subject to express a mild degree of disinterest or aversion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and usable. Examples show it describing feelings towards ideas, activities, or people.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

21%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not very keen" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express a mild lack of enthusiasm or interest. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's a versatile phrase appearing frequently in news and media, although less so in formal or scientific contexts. While widely understood, consider using more formal alternatives like "somewhat unenthusiastic" or "less inclined" in formal writing. When aiming for politeness or avoiding strong criticism, "not very keen" provides a useful and subtle way to express your feelings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not especially interested

Focuses on the lack of interest, using "especially" for emphasis.

not particularly enthusiastic

A more formal alternative, using "particularly" to soften the expression of disinterest.

not too fond of

Shifts the focus to a lack of liking or affection for something.

have little enthusiasm for

A more verbose alternative that clearly expresses a reduced level of enthusiasm.

somewhat unenthusiastic

Replaces the idiom with a more straightforward adjective, indicating a mild lack of enthusiasm.

less inclined

Emphasizes a lack of willingness or preference to do something.

less than thrilled

Emphasizes a lack of excitement, suggesting mild disappointment or disinterest.

a little reluctant

Suggests a hesitation or unwillingness, implying some internal resistance.

mildly averse

Indicates a slight opposition or dislike, rather than simple lack of interest.

rather indifferent

Conveys a neutral or apathetic attitude, indicating a lack of concern or excitement.

FAQs

What does "not very keen" mean?

The phrase "not very keen" means that someone is not particularly enthusiastic or interested in something. It indicates a mild lack of preference or desire.

How can I use "not very keen" in a sentence?

You can use "not very keen" to express your feelings about a suggestion or activity. For example, "I'm "not very keen" on going to the beach today because it's too crowded."

What are some alternatives to saying "not very keen"?

You can use alternatives like "somewhat unenthusiastic", "not particularly enthusiastic", or "less inclined" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "not very keen" formal or informal?

"Not very keen" is generally considered informal but acceptable in many contexts. In more formal settings, it's better to use more precise or elevated language.