sectarian interest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sectarian interest" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to interests or concerns that are specific to a particular sect or group, often in a religious or ideological context. Example: "The debate was heavily influenced by sectarian interest, leading to a lack of common ground among the participants."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

To be sure, even before, Christian Democratic leaders had been eager to emphasise their distance from the churches and to create "catch-all parties", not sectarian interest groups.

The Guardian - Opinion

It says its members too often act in their own sectarian interest and seem to have little commitment to national reconciliation.

Forbes

(The wisdom tradition is famous for lacking all "sectarian" interest, so that no specific group or community or nation is addressed. The truth of wisdom pertains to all human beings without exception).

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

This playground of sectarian interests, where each community has its external backer, may be the perfect incubator of conspiracy theories.

The New York Times

Along with Lebanon's president, Michel Suleiman, he has tried to hold the balance between the country's many sectarian interests.

The Economist

If Shiites present their claims in secular democratic language, the Sunnis will reject them as a cover for sectarian interests.

The New York Times - Books

The Kurds, who have played the kingmakers in the past, will inevitably demand commitments on the future of Kirkuk, and other players will press their own sectarian interests.

The New York Times

Nouri al-Maliki, who has been criticised for putting Shia sectarian interests ahead of national goals, struck an uncompromising tone in his weekly national address.

The Guardian

Placating sectarian interests, the six seats of the Petroleum Administration were parceled out to Lebanon's six largest religious groups, a reflection of the power sharing agreements underpinning the country's governance.

The New York Times

In the 15 months since the fall of Saddam Hussein, American officials have declared repeatedly that they would disband the private militias, recognizing that their narrow, sectarian interests could threaten a unified and democratic Iraqi state.

The New York Times

Hundreds of religious software applications for hand-held devices, many of them free, can be downloaded from Web sites created by programmers with sectarian interests and from more general sites like that of Palm Inc.(www.palm.com) and www.palmgear.com.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing conflicts or political situations, use "sectarian interest" to precisely denote actions driven by specific religious or ideological groups. For broader contexts, consider alternatives like "group-specific objective" or "partisan motive".

Common error

Avoid using "sectarian interest" when referring to general group interests. "Sectarian interest" specifically implies motivations tied to religious or ideological sects, not just any collective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sectarian interest" functions as a noun phrase, where 'sectarian' modifies 'interest'. Ludwig AI indicates that it is used to describe interests that are specific to a particular religious or ideological sect.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Encyclopedias

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sectarian interest" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that refers to interests specific to religious or ideological sects. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, its frequency is rare, primarily appearing in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to differentiate it from general group interests and to consider alternative phrases like "partisan motive" or "biased viewpoint" for broader applicability. The phrase carries a neutral to formal tone, fitting well into analytical and descriptive discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sectarian agenda

Focuses on the specific goals and plans of a particular sect.

denominational interest

Denotes interests tied to a specific religious denomination.

group-specific objective

Highlights that the objective is particularly designed to serve the interest of a particular group.

biased viewpoint

Indicates a slanted or prejudiced perspective that favors a particular group or ideology.

parochial concern

Emphasizes a narrow, limited scope of interest, often lacking a broader perspective.

factional advantage

Focuses on gaining benefits or advantages for a specific faction or subgroup.

insular focus

Highlights a focus that is isolated and detached from external influences or considerations.

partisan motive

Implies a motivation driven by strong allegiance to a particular party or cause.

narrow-minded agenda

Suggests a rigid and inflexible set of goals driven by limited perspectives.

cliquish desire

Describes interests shared by a small, exclusive group, often leading to exclusion.

FAQs

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

You can use "sectarian interest" to describe actions or policies driven by specific religious or ideological groups. For example: "The debate was heavily influenced by "sectarian interest", leading to a lack of common ground."

What's the difference between "sectarian interest" and "partisan interest"?

"Sectarian interest" refers specifically to interests related to religious or ideological sects, while "partisan interest" relates to political parties or factions. They both indicate biased motivations, but differ in the type of group involved.

Are there any synonyms for "sectarian interest"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "parochial concern", "biased viewpoint", or "group-specific objective" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "sectarian interest" formal or informal language?

"Sectarian interest" is suitable for neutral to formal contexts, particularly in news, academic, and professional settings. While it's not overly technical, it's precise and often used in analytical discussions.