small interest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "small interest" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a minor or limited level of interest in a particular subject or activity. Example: "She expressed a small interest in learning how to play the guitar, but she wasn't ready to commit to lessons."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I was a little interested in the culture as a child, but as I grew older, that small interest dissipated completely, and I didn't try to revive it.

Huffington Post

Afonso V had small interest in discovery but great zeal for Crusading and knight-errantry.

Britannica

Even a small interest rate rise will send a million more into deep trouble.

The Guardian - Opinion

Academic courses, seminars, small interest group meetings, summer workshops and colloquia.

Stanford University

Two small interest rate cuts in June and July also aimed to improve growth.

The New York Times

"I've always had a small interest in politics so I thought I'd go along.

Independent

Track and field is a small interest sport in the US.

Independent

Nevertheless, Chemical Engineering community demonstrates a small interest for innovation compared to other engineering fields.

Chemical Engineering and Processing: Process Intensification

The United States and Cuba have operated small interest sections in the other's capital since the late 1970's.

The New York Times

So there's no small interest in developing molecular devices that can be easily harnessed to do the job.

MIT Technology Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

A small interest-rate increase would not do much to persuade foreign investors to keep their money in South Africa.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "small interest", ensure the context clarifies what the interest is directed towards. Specificity enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "small interest" when a stronger expression of interest is more appropriate. Ensure that the adjective accurately reflects the level of engagement or concern.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small interest" functions as an adjective-noun phrase, where "small" modifies the noun "interest". This construct serves to quantify the degree or extent of someone's concern or involvement in a particular subject or activity. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "small interest" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a limited degree of concern or involvement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, though primarily found in news and media. Related phrases like "slight interest" or "minor interest" offer similar meanings, with slight variations in emphasis. When employing "small interest", ensure it accurately reflects the intended level of engagement and provides sufficient context to avoid ambiguity. Awareness of these nuances empowers writers to effectively convey the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slight interest

Indicates a very mild degree of interest, almost negligible.

minor interest

Emphasizes the insignificance or secondary nature of the interest.

limited interest

Highlights the restricted scope or extent of the interest.

modest interest

Suggests a moderate or restrained level of interest.

passing interest

Implies a temporary or fleeting interest.

casual interest

Suggests a relaxed and informal degree of interest, without deep commitment.

superficial interest

Focuses on the surface level of interest, lacking depth or engagement.

faint interest

Emphasizes the weak or barely perceptible nature of the interest.

token interest

Suggests that the interest is shown only for appearances or as a formality.

negligible interest

Indicates that the interest is so small as to be practically insignificant.

FAQs

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

You can use "small interest" to describe a minor level of concern or involvement. For example: "She expressed a "small interest" in learning how to play the guitar".

What's the difference between "small interest" and "passing interest"?

"Small interest" suggests a generally low level of interest, while "passing interest" implies the interest is temporary or fleeting.

What can I say instead of "small interest"?

You can use alternatives like "slight interest", "minor interest", or "limited interest" depending on the context.

Is "small interest" the same as "little interest"?

While similar, "little interest" might suggest a nearly complete lack of interest, whereas "small interest" implies some, albeit minimal, level of engagement. They are largely interchangeable, but context matters.