shared an interest

USAGE SUMMARY

"shared an interest" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it when talking about two or more people who have something in common. For example, "My sister and I shared an interest in photography and often went out together to take pictures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They soon realised they shared an interest in swinging and group sex.

The Guardian

He and Pasolini shared an interest in Italian dialect and folk literature.

The Guardian - Books

Hirohito and his elder son, Akihito, shared an interest in marine biology.

The New York Times

Painter and photographer shared an interest in getting under people's skin.

The Guardian - Arts

He and Cage, who shared an interest in Zen Buddhism, became close friends.

The New York Times - Arts

"We shared an interest in what art could do, where it could go".

The New Yorker

They shared an interest in Russian music, and in December 1956 founded Monitor.

The New York Times

Izquierdo and Ochs shared an interest in many ethnographic issues, including child rearing.

The New Yorker

They shared an interest in liberal politics and a passionate belief in the civil-rights movement.

The New Yorker

Two whiz kids, Stephen G. Wozniak and Steven P. Jobs, shared an interest in electronics.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Father and son shared an interest in politics, since the senior Mr. Duryea was a state senator.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shared an interest" to highlight common ground between individuals or groups, fostering connection and understanding.

Common error

Avoid implying a deep connection solely based on a "shared an interest". Superficial commonalities don't always translate to strong relationships.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shared an interest" functions as a connective element, highlighting a commonality between individuals or groups. It typically introduces the specific area of commonality, as seen in Ludwig examples like "They shared an interest in Russian music" or "He and Cage, who shared an interest in Zen Buddhism, became close friends."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "shared an interest" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate a commonality between individuals or groups. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is perfectly acceptable in written English. Its primary function is to highlight common ground and establish connections, suitable for diverse contexts while maintaining a neutral and professional tone. The phrase sees frequent use in News & Media, encyclopedias and wiki, with various alternative phrasings available to express similar meanings with subtle variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had a mutual interest

Focuses on the reciprocity of the interest.

were mutually interested in

Highlights the reciprocal engagement with a particular subject or activity.

possessed a common passion

Emphasizes a strong enthusiasm held by multiple individuals.

had similar inclinations

Indicates a shared tendency or preference.

found common ground in

Highlights the discovery of shared interests leading to agreement or understanding.

had overlapping interests

Implies that the interests are not identical but share common elements.

were kindred spirits

Suggests a deep connection based on shared values and interests.

had a connection through

Points to a link established by a shared enthusiasm.

were drawn to the same

Focuses on a shared attraction or appeal.

both enjoyed

Simple expression of a common liking or pleasure.

FAQs

How can I use "shared an interest" in a sentence?

You can use "shared an interest" to indicate that two or more people have something in common, such as a hobby, activity, or belief. For example, "They "shared an interest" in photography and often went on trips together".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "shared an interest"?

Alternatives include phrases like "had a mutual interest", "were mutually interested in", or "possessed a common passion", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "share an interest" instead of "shared an interest"?

The phrase "share an interest" is used to indicate a present or habitual action, while ""shared an interest"" refers to a past action. For example, "They share an interest in music" (present) versus "They "shared an interest" in history" (past).

What's the difference between "shared an interest" and "have an interest"?

"Shared an interest" implies that two or more people have the same interest, while "have an interest" simply means someone is interested in something, without necessarily implying that others share it.