passing fascination

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "passing fascination" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a temporary interest or curiosity about something that is not likely to last. Example: "Her passing fascination with astronomy faded after a few months, but she still enjoyed stargazing occasionally."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

His passing fascination with Zen Buddhism and meditation.

The New York Times - Magazine

Pikmin 3, Saints Row IV, Splinter Cell Blacklist, Mario and Luigi Dream Team, Disney Infinity – these recent releases are not pan-flash works of passing fascination, but fully formed articles of intrigue and no little entertainment.

Vice

They clamoured and scavenged for tickets, were enraged by the sight of empty seats in the first few days; they cheered and they cried and they found in their unbridled enthusiasm at least a passing fascination for previously obscure disciplines like handball and taekwondo.

Independent

But if you're like most people with real lives and a passing fascination with Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders, you don't know what the hell those terms actually mean, and have only a vague understanding of the chaos that they imply.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

I intentionally minimize my exposure to the news and it trends, because that's all they are -- passing fascinations.

Huffington Post

Accustomed to his constant fascination with passing planes, Ms. Ginsburg initially didn't react.

The New York Times

Every time our heroines appear to be staring at the jewels for an unnaturally long time so that they can eventually steal them they pass off their fascination as an endemically feminine pastime.

Vice

The characters talk dirty as a way of passing the time, dispelling boredom and expressing their squeamish fascination with the messy weirdness of being human.

The New York Times

Ferdinand Wögerbauer's set, with its Perspex window through which passing factory-hands intrusively peer, reminds us of our own voyeuristic fascination with transgressive sex.

The Guardian

He tuned in quickly: not only was he a child actor whose first gig was on Jack Benny's radio show ("I was passing as a child," he said), but he had a feverish fascination with radio itself.

The New York Times

Like so many of the writers who passed through – Malcolm Lowry, Hart Crane, Graham Greene Lawrencece's fascination with the country curdled into disillusion, which in turn yielded one of his most pungent novels, The Plumed Serpent.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "passing fascination" when you want to convey that someone is only briefly interested in something and that the interest is unlikely to persist. It is suitable for describing hobbies, trends, or phases people go through.

Common error

Avoid using "passing fascination" when describing a long-term or profound interest. It downplays the significance and duration of the fascination.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "passing fascination" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "passing" modifies the noun "fascination". According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. Examples show its use in describing short-lived interests.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "passing fascination" describes a short-lived interest or enthusiasm. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's versatile for different writing styles, most frequently found in news and media. Alternative phrases include "fleeting interest" and "temporary infatuation". Use it to describe interests that are not long-lasting or deeply rooted.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Fleeting interest

Emphasizes the brief duration of the interest.

Temporary infatuation

Suggests a more intense but still short-lived enthusiasm.

Short-lived curiosity

Highlights the inquisitive aspect that quickly fades.

Transient interest

Similar to fleeting interest, stressing the temporary nature.

Momentary preoccupation

Focuses on the absorption that is only for a brief period.

Casual interest

Underlines the lack of deep engagement.

Superficial interest

Indicates a lack of depth or genuine engagement.

Brief enthusiasm

Highlights the initial excitement that doesn't last.

Fad interest

Implies the interest is driven by trends and is unlikely to endure.

Surface-level engagement

Describes involvement without deep investment or commitment.

FAQs

How can I use "passing fascination" in a sentence?

"Passing fascination" is used to describe a short-lived interest or enthusiasm for something. For example, "His "passing fascination" with photography lasted only a few months."

What's a good alternative to "passing fascination"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "fleeting interest", "temporary infatuation", or "short-lived curiosity".

Is "passing fascination" formal or informal?

"Passing fascination" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its neutrality makes it versatile for various writing styles.

What is the difference between "passing fascination" and "obsession"?

"Passing fascination" implies a temporary and not very intense interest, while "obsession" suggests a persistent, consuming, and often unhealthy interest.