out of interest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "out of interest" is correct and usable in written English.
It is most commonly used when asking a question or making a statement related to something that someone is curious about or interested in. For example, "Out of interest, what do you think of the new movie?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

I am interested in hearing more, both out of interest and to decrease the awkwardness".

Vice

Just out of interest, how hard is it to die?

The New Yorker

But out of interest, what makes you think a sweatshirt is supposed to be really cheap?

Independent

Out of interest and morality, Europeans should be playing a role, and the E.U. can help.

The New York Times

Many people choose a higher degree course out of interest and not for vocational reasons.

Independent

Out of interest, can I ask, are there many women among us?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Out of interest, would he have made a recommendation that wasn't?

The Guardian

We have been following the debates not out of interest but because they are like family.

The Guardian

Because of the multiple options an MIT education provides, students will apply out of interest, she says.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

This is helping it to retain some influence over the economy even though it has run out of interest-rate ammunition.

The Economist

And we've gone even further, building a way for users to permanently opt out of interest-based ads altogether.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "out of interest" to introduce a question or statement when you are genuinely curious and want to know more, but it's not crucial information for the immediate context. It signals a polite and non-demanding inquiry.

Common error

Avoid using "out of interest" when you mean something is beneficial or advantageous for someone. Instead, use "in your interest" to convey that something serves someone's advantage.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "out of interest" functions as a prepositional phrase that typically modifies a verb or clause. It introduces a question or statement that stems from curiosity, indicating the speaker's desire to know something without necessarily having a pressing need for the information. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is generally correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "out of interest" is a prepositional phrase used to express curiosity and introduce a question or statement prompted by that curiosity. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It has a neutral register, fitting well in a variety of contexts, including news, academic discussions, and casual conversations. When writing, use it to politely preface a question, indicating that you are simply curious and not demanding information. Also, be careful not to confuse it with "in your interest", which has a completely different meaning. With these nuances in mind, you can confidently and appropriately incorporate "out of interest" into your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a matter of curiosity

Similar to "out of interest" but places more emphasis on curiosity itself.

motivated by curiosity

Focuses on the motivation behind the interest, emphasizing the role of curiosity.

prompted by inquisitiveness

Highlights inquisitiveness as the driving force behind the inquiry.

from a standpoint of curiosity

Highlights the perspective of curiosity as the basis for inquiry.

from an inquisitive perspective

Highlights that the view point is from inquisitive perspective.

just curious

A more direct and informal way of expressing curiosity.

in the spirit of inquiry

Highlights the intention of getting some information by asking or searching.

by way of inquiry

Emphasizes the act of asking questions to gain information.

wanting to know

A simple expression of wanting to understand something better.

inquisitively

Expresses the manner of asking questions or seeking information.

FAQs

How can I use "out of interest" in a sentence?

You can use "out of interest" to introduce a question or statement driven by curiosity. For example, "Out of interest, what made you choose this career path?"

What is a more formal alternative to "out of interest"?

While "out of interest" is suitable for most situations, you could use phrases like "as a matter of curiosity" or "prompted by inquisitiveness" /s/prompted+by+inquisitiveness in more formal contexts.

Is it always appropriate to use "out of interest"?

While generally acceptable, using "out of interest" might seem flippant in highly sensitive situations. Consider whether your curiosity might be perceived as insensitive or intrusive.

What's the difference between "out of interest" and "in your interest"?

"Out of interest" signifies curiosity, while "in your interest" means something is beneficial or advantageous to someone. For example, "It's in your interest to invest wisely."