old interest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "old interest" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a previously held interest or hobby that someone may have had in the past. Example: "After years of focusing on my career, I decided to revisit my old interest in painting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

"He just couldn't get up the old interest to do anything... and then he stopped speaking".

The New Yorker

Instead, the same old chairmen habituated by the same old interest groups will dominate everything.

The New York Times

She left journalism and eventually dusted off an old interest -- her guitar.

The New York Times

He revived his old interest, started looking for dogs in pounds, and eventually rescued and trained 32 of them.

The New York Times - Arts

Schaller sees the American West as a place to refashion a Democratic future — one less tethered to the Party's old interest groups.

The New Yorker

It's fin de siecle, my old interest, and it's the kind of show -- decorative art -- that the National Gallery does so well, with beautiful installations.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

It is too frightened of its old interest-group supporters to mete out the necessary pain; and its opponents, led by the newly popular Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), have the parliamentary might to block or delay its legislation.

The Economist

Inside it, your old interests, which you've outgrown or set aside, keep on growing.

The New Yorker

"The old interests are still in power, but Crivella is different.

The Guardian

Yet when the upstart is too successful, somehow the old interests surface, and restrictions on growth are proposed or imposed.

The Guardian

"When the upstart is too successful, somehow the old interests surface, and restrictions on growth are proposed or imposed," he said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing hobbies or passions that have been set aside, consider using "old interest" to convey a sense of rediscovery or nostalgia.

Common error

Avoid using "old interest" when referring to something that is currently of interest, even if it has been for a long time. In such cases, use "long-standing interest" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "old interest" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "old" modifies the noun "interest". It typically refers to a hobby, passion, or area of study that someone engaged with in the past but may no longer be actively pursuing. Ludwig examples showcase its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "old interest" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe a hobby, passion, or area of study pursued in the past. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is quite versatile, fitting into news, media, and even scientific contexts. While generally neutral in register, consider more formal alternatives like "former interest" for certain professional settings. Remember that the phrase is best used to talk about passions from the past. Avoid using the phrase to define something you have had interest in for many years.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

former interest

Replaces "old" with "former", emphasizing that the interest is no longer current.

past interest

Uses "past" instead of "old" to indicate the interest belonged to a previous time.

previous interest

Substitutes "old" with "previous", highlighting that the interest came before the current one.

bygone interest

Employs "bygone" to suggest the interest is from a more distant past and possibly forgotten.

long-standing interest

Indicates the interest existed for a considerable amount of time in the past.

forgotten interest

Highlights that the interest was not only in the past, but also neglected or overlooked.

dormant interest

Implies the interest still exists but is currently inactive or suppressed.

rekindled interest

Suggests that a previously abandoned interest has been revived.

past enthusiasm

Replaces "interest" with "enthusiasm", indicating a former passion or excitement.

historical inclination

Uses more formal language to refer to a past tendency or preference.

FAQs

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

You can use "old interest" to refer to a hobby or passion you once had, for example: "After retiring, he decided to pursue his "old interest" in woodworking."

What's a good substitute for the phrase "old interest"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "former interest", "past interest", or "previous interest" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "old interest" in formal writing?

Yes, "old interest" is appropriate in formal writing, especially when describing a previously held passion or hobby that may be revisited or rekindled. However, consider alternatives like "former interest" for a slightly more formal tone.

What's the difference between "old interest" and "long-standing interest"?

"Old interest" refers to a past hobby or passion, while "long-standing interest" describes something you've been interested in for a considerable time and likely still are.