passionate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "passionate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a strong feeling or enthusiasm towards something, often in contexts related to interests, hobbies, or relationships. Example: "She is passionate about environmental conservation and dedicates her time to various sustainability projects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One of the unexpected pleasures of this magical island, incidentally, is how more or less everyone has a passionate interest in the English Premiership.

The Guardian - Travel

Related: Why Slack is worth $1bn: it's trying to change how we work "Our strength and our biggest weakness is that we've got this large, very vocal and very passionate user group.

The Guardian - Tech

We were all surprised when Lynne Truss's bestseller, Eats, Shoots and Leaves, proved that people are passionate about apostrophes.

The Guardian - Books

It was actually what I loved about her work: it was passionate and full of fury and took no prisoners – much like Bird herself.

The Guardian - Opinion

Thankfully she expressed the perfect balance of regret at my leaving and delight at the opportunity that this could present for Soas in engaging their Africa-based alumni and those supporters who felt passionate about the region.

The Guardian

Their laid-back attitude (especially Jesus!) might make you wonder, but they are professional, and passionate about their country.

The Guardian - Travel

This is a company filled with real passionate racers, from the boardroom to the factory floor, and an incredible hunger to win.

The Guardian - Sport

Susan, 45, is a human rights activist and writer passionate about the fate of Palestine.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Scottish FA's chief executive, Stewart Regan, said the success of the Commonwealth Games and a passionate video address by Sir Alex Ferguson had helped sway the decision.

The Guardian - Sport

As deputy prime minister, she was engaged with voters, plain-speaking and yet passionate about policy minutiae; she was seen as a powerful and honest advocate of social reform.

The Guardian

She laughs, then becomes suddenly passionate: "It tells me that people are interested in a different type of politics, and that's what's most encouraging".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing professional attributes, use "passionate" to demonstrate enthusiasm and dedication. However, avoid overuse and complement it with specific skills and experience.

Common error

While "passionate" can be effective in describing your enthusiasm, avoid overusing it in resumes or cover letters. Instead, provide concrete examples of your skills and accomplishments that demonstrate your dedication and enthusiasm.

Linguistic Context

The word "passionate" primarily functions as an adjective, describing someone who has or displays strong feelings. Ludwig AI examples showcase its use in contexts ranging from personal interests to professional qualities, aligning with its dictionary definition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Travel

15%

Books

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Opinion

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "passionate" is a versatile adjective used to describe strong feelings or enthusiasm, as validated by Ludwig AI. It appears frequently across diverse contexts, including news, travel, and books. While grammatically correct, overuse should be avoided, particularly in professional contexts. Related terms like "ardent" and "enthusiastic" offer nuanced alternatives. According to Ludwig, "passionate" has a neutral register, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impassioned

Emphasizes deep emotion and feeling.

ardent

Emphasizes fervor and enthusiasm.

fervent

Highlights sincerity and intensity of feeling.

intense

Focuses on the strength and depth of feeling.

enthusiastic

Focuses on excitement and eagerness.

zealous

Suggests dedication and commitment.

devoted

Highlights loyalty and dedication.

wholehearted

Emphasizes sincerity and completeness of feeling.

fierce

Suggests a strong and powerful emotion.

animated

Focuses on being lively and expressive.

FAQs

How can I use "passionate" in a sentence?

You can use "passionate" to describe someone with strong feelings or enthusiasm for something, such as "She is "passionate about" environmental conservation" or "He delivered a "passionate speech" about social justice".

What can I say instead of "passionate"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "enthusiastic", "ardent", or "fervent" to convey a similar meaning. Consider the specific nuance you want to express when choosing a substitute.

Is it correct to say someone is "passionate with" something?

While less common, saying someone is "passionate with" something is grammatically acceptable, though using ""passionate about"" is generally preferred and more widely used.

What's the difference between "passionate" and "enthusiastic"?

"Passionate" implies a deeper, more intense feeling and commitment, while "enthusiastic" suggests a more general excitement and eagerness. You might be ""enthusiastic"" about a new project, but "passionate" about your life's work.