sheer interest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sheer interest" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong or intense curiosity or fascination about something. Example: "She attended the lecture out of sheer interest in the topic of artificial intelligence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Scalia's importance and sheer interest value can hardly be exaggerated.

The Guardian - Opinion

Community, speculation, imagination, sheer interest in medieval books: these are all wonderful things.

The New Yorker

A desire for social participation might be another, and sheer interest in the subject another.

The Guardian - Books

I have novels where, out of sheer interest, I've kept every version of it and I can fill a box two, three feet off the floor with drafts.

The Guardian - Books

Despite the struggle with some of the less familiar words, I still enjoyed the puzzle and found myself reading and re-reading the quote out of sheer interest in the topic at hand.

The New York Times

As Brigitte Burrows, head of education liaison at Queen Mary, University of London, says: "Three or more years is a long time to keep going solely on sheer interest in the subject - if a union only has only one lonely flyer, advertising the philately society, you might wonder about the lack of nightlife there".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Edmund White's novel, doing justice to all this confusion, tingles none the less with its own excitement: the value, and novelty, the sheer teeming interest, of telling the truth.

The Guardian - Books

"In Britain there is a structural imperative for Labour to take down the influence of money in politics – not just as a high-minded recognition of voter concern, but out of sheer self interest," they write.

The Guardian

First, there is the sheer intellectual interest in understanding such a complex social phenomenon which is, after all, one of the most intricate aspects of human culture.

SEP

The titles below are driven mostly by sheer mentions, interest, and feedback.

Huffington Post

Why? Sheer self-interest.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sheer interest" to convey a sense of motivation or engagement that stems purely from curiosity, without any ulterior motives or external pressures. For example: "She took the course out of "sheer interest", not for career advancement."

Common error

Avoid using "sheer interest" when describing a mild or casual curiosity. "Sheer" implies a strong, compelling motivation. For less intense situations, use phrases like "casual interest" or "slight curiosity".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sheer interest" functions as a noun phrase where "sheer" modifies the noun "interest", emphasizing its intensity and purity. As Ludwig AI explains, it is used to describe actions motivated by genuine curiosity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sheer interest" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to express a strong and intense level of curiosity or fascination. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase follows standard grammar rules and is used in varied contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias. Although relatively uncommon, with only 10 exact examples identified, it effectively communicates a motivation driven purely by curiosity. When writing, ensure that you use "sheer interest" to indicate genuine enthusiasm, avoiding contexts where the interest is mild or casual.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pure fascination

Focuses on the captivating aspect that fuels the interest.

unadulterated curiosity

Highlights the genuine and unmixed nature of the curiosity.

intense engagement

Emphasizes the active involvement and absorption in the subject.

genuine enthusiasm

Indicates sincere excitement and passion.

profound curiosity

Suggests a deep and significant level of inquisitiveness.

unalloyed interest

Similar to unadulterated, emphasizes the purity of the interest.

utter absorption

Focuses on being completely engrossed in something.

deep enthrallment

Highlights a state of being captivated or charmed.

complete captivation

Emphasizes the all-encompassing nature of being captivated.

undiluted enthusiasm

Refers to the unmixed, strong feeling of enthusiasm.

FAQs

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

You can use "sheer interest" to describe motivation driven purely by curiosity. For example, "He learned programming out of "sheer interest", not because he needed it for his job."

What are some alternatives to "sheer interest"?

Alternatives include "pure fascination", "unadulterated curiosity", or "intense engagement", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "out of sheer interest"?

Yes, the phrase "out of sheer interest" is a common and correct way to express that someone's actions are motivated solely by their intense curiosity or fascination.

What's the difference between "sheer interest" and "casual interest"?

"Sheer interest" implies a strong and compelling level of curiosity, while "casual interest" suggests a milder and less intense form of curiosity.