serious interest

USAGE SUMMARY

"serious interest" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a serious, genuine interest in a certain topic, person, or activity. For example, "John has shown a serious interest in learning Spanish for several years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Seton Hall expressed serious interest, and Ryan came back east.

The New York Times - Sports

But when his son showed serious interest, he relented.

The New York Times - Sports

Entertaining way to start a more serious interest in archaeology.

The Guardian - Books

There was also serious interest in the paranormal.

The New Yorker

Then Liverpool approached with a very serious interest.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr. Kirby combined a serious interest in science with history.

The New York Times

This is a one-of-a-kind reference for anyone with a serious interest in mathematics.

Princeton University

This course is for students who have a serious interest in baroque dance.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Not to be missed by anyone with serious interest in Big Data and Data Science.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

No specialized knowledge or background is needed, beyond a serious interest in architectural design.

Cornell University

There will also be serious interest in how players from the weaker cricket nations fare.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "serious interest" when you want to emphasize a genuine and committed level of engagement with a topic, person, or activity. It conveys a deeper level of attention than a casual interest.

Common error

While "serious interest" is appropriate in many formal and neutral contexts, avoid overusing it in very casual or informal settings where simpler terms like "really into" or "a big fan of" might sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "serious interest" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "serious" modifies the noun "interest". Ludwig AI indicates it is correct and usable in written English, frequently appearing as the object of verbs like "have", "express", or "show".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

25%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Science

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "serious interest" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression for describing a deep and genuine engagement with a subject or activity. Ludwig AI affirms its usability in written English. It's most commonly found in news and media and academic contexts, carrying a neutral to formal tone. While alternatives like "keen interest" or "profound interest" exist, "serious interest" directly conveys a significant level of commitment. Remember to use this phrase judiciously, avoiding overuse in overly casual conversations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keen interest

Replaces "serious" with "keen", suggesting enthusiasm or eagerness alongside the depth of interest.

profound interest

Substitutes "serious" with "profound", indicating a deep and thoughtful level of engagement.

genuine interest

Replaces "serious" with "genuine", highlighting the sincerity and authenticity of the interest.

strong inclination

Shifts from "interest" to "inclination", suggesting a leaning or preference towards something with considerable weight.

deep concern

Alters the focus to "concern", indicating a weighty interest driven by worry or responsibility.

earnest attention

Changes to "earnest attention", emphasizing sincere and focused consideration.

dedicated focus

Replaces "interest" with "focus", highlighting commitment and concentrated effort.

marked attention

Substitutes "serious" with "marked", suggesting that interest is noticeable and significant.

considerable attention

Uses "considerable attention" to indicate that a significant amount of focus is being given.

significant investment

Shifts the focus to "investment", suggesting resources are being committed due to the importance of the interest.

FAQs

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

You can use "serious interest" to describe a deep and genuine engagement with a topic, person, or activity. For example, "She has a serious interest in astrophysics" or "The company expressed a serious interest in acquiring the startup."

What are some alternatives to "serious interest"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "keen interest", "profound interest", or "genuine interest".

Is it redundant to say "very serious interest"?

While not strictly incorrect, saying "very serious interest" can be redundant. The phrase "serious interest" already implies a significant level of engagement. Consider using stronger alternatives like "intense interest" or emphasizing the actions that demonstrate the interest instead.

What is the difference between "serious interest" and "casual interest"?

"Serious interest" implies a deep, committed engagement, often involving dedicated time and effort. "Casual interest", on the other hand, suggests a lighter, less committed curiosity or enjoyment.