piques interest

USAGE SUMMARY

"piques interest" is correct and usable in written English.
It means to arouse curiosity or interest in something. For example, "The new film piques my interest, I definitely want to go see it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Accelerated speech also piques interest.

The New York Times - Tech

Unless Cristiano Ronaldo piques interest on the post-game changing room photo, possibly.

The Guardian - Sport

I cannot say I share this taste, although there is a kind of purity to his images that piques interest.

The New York Times

Whether that piques interest among younger viewers as various snowboard and extreme skiing sports have in the Winter Games remains to be seen.

The New York Times

The show also piques interest because while the content, what is being depicted, can make a viewer pause, the way that a work is made technically can be impressive.

The New York Times

The story of Bletchley Park still piques interest many years after the last code-breaker put down their multi-coloured pen, and not just because of the impact cryptanalysis had on World War II, shortening it by around two years.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The possibilities have piqued interest.

The New York Times

These seeming imperfections pique interest.

The New York Times

To pique interest, a gallery is displayed at www.msss.com.

The New York Times - Science

But these new times piqued interest in my ancestral land.

The New York Times

The royal wedding: It does pique interest, but does it affect business?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "piques interest" when you want to convey that something subtly orintriguingly attracts attention, rather than forcing it.

Common error

Avoid using "piques interest" to describe something that causes annoyance or irritation. "Pique" in this context refers to arousing curiosity or interest, not negative emotions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "piques interest" functions as a verb phrase where "piques" is a transitive verb and "interest" is the direct object. Ludwig confirms that the expression is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "piques interest" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the act of arousing curiosity or attention. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is valid and usable in written English. While not extremely common, it appears regularly in news and media, and scientific contexts, suggesting a neutral register. To diversify your writing, consider alternatives like "arouses curiosity" or "sparks interest". Ensure you use "piques interest" to convey subtle or intriguing attraction rather than negative emotions. Avoid confusing it with "peeks interest", which is grammatically incorrect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

arouses curiosity

Focuses more directly on the creation of curiosity rather than simply sparking interest.

sparks interest

Suggests a sudden and immediate ignition of interest.

captures attention

Emphasizes the act of grabbing and holding someone's focus.

draws attention

Indicates a gradual attraction of focus.

engenders interest

Implies a more profound and lasting creation of interest.

stimulates curiosity

Highlights the mental or intellectual activation of curiosity.

awakens interest

Suggests a dormant interest being brought to life.

provokes interest

Implies a more forceful and intentional generation of interest.

kindles interest

Evokes a gentle and nurturing start of interest.

excites curiosity

Highlights the thrilling and stimulating aspect of curiosity.

FAQs

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

"Piques interest" is used to describe something that arouses curiosity or attention. For example, "The unusual exhibit piques interest among art enthusiasts."

What can I say instead of "piques interest"?

Alternatives to "piques interest" include "arouses curiosity", "sparks interest", or "captures attention" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "peeks interest" instead of "piques interest"?

No, the correct phrase is "piques interest". "Pique" means to stimulate or arouse, while "peek" means to glance or look quickly. Using "peeks" would be a misuse of the word.

What's the difference between "piques interest" and "holds interest"?

"Piques interest" refers to the initial act of arousing curiosity, whereas "holds interest" suggests maintaining someone's attention over time. Something can "pique interest" initially but fail to "hold interest" if it doesn't remain engaging.