spirited interest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spirited interest" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a lively or enthusiastic curiosity or engagement in a particular subject or activity. Example: "Her spirited interest in environmental issues led her to volunteer for several conservation projects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

A spirited interest in hallucinations continued well into the 20th century.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

I agree with David that the new film is a botch (he writes that it "has so many things wrong with it that one can only stare at the screen in disbelief") and he rightly says that the film's director, Jason Winer, "can't find the rhythm in Brand's scenes with [Greta] Gerwig," who plays the protagonist's free-spirited love interest (the role played by Liza Minnelli in the 1981 original).

The New Yorker

Here, in his petty venality and innocent cowardice, the barber comes closer than anywhere else in the film to Chaplin's Little Tramp — a non-innocent hero of free-spirited self-interest and anarchic will.

The New Yorker

A government of a public-spirited magnate interested in the maintenance of French self-esteen would subsidize the production of a large, fast, beautiful automobile to replace in the world scale of elegance the vanished Hispano-Suizas, Delahayes, and Panhard-Levassors.

The New Yorker

Grandfathered Jimmy John Stamoss) worries about what Gerald's (Josh Peck) free-spirited new love interest (Lyndsy Fonseca) really wants from his son.

Los Angeles Times

It might be true to an extent, what with English sporting hopes now turning to a repeat performance from Andy Murray at Wimbledon, but with our friends across the Atlantic putting in a spirited performance and our interest in football hopefully extending beyond just our own efforts, it seems a little cynical.

Independent

They reveal Ella as a spirited young woman, much interested in James's business dealings and his backstage life.

The New York Times - Books

His weapons were tough enforcement, greater transparency, full disclosure and spirited attacks on conflicts of interest.

The Economist

The Delaware Gazette reported afterward, "The game was a spirited one, and, from the interest aroused, it is safe to say that foot ball has taken a firm hold upon both students and citizens".

The New York Times - Sports

Most of his speech, though, was a spirited defense of the Fed's interest rate policy, complete with slides and formulas, like (pt - pt*) > 0. Only in the last few minutes did he discuss lax regulation.

The New York Times

Note how all notion of interests and conflict is spirited away from civil society despite the fact that it seems to include the entire private economy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "spirited interest" to convey enthusiasm and energy towards a specific subject, particularly when describing active engagement or lively curiosity.

Common error

While "spirited interest" is acceptable, avoid using it excessively in highly formal or academic writing; opt for more neutral terms like "keen interest" or "strong interest" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spirited interest" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "spirited" modifies the noun "interest". It acts as a descriptor, indicating a particular quality or characteristic of the interest being described. Ludwig confirms this structure and its appropriate usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "spirited interest" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to describe an enthusiastic and lively engagement with a particular subject. While not exceptionally common, as highlighted by Ludwig's analysis of example frequency, it's suitable for neutral to slightly informal contexts. For more formal settings, alternatives like "keen interest" or "strong interest" may be preferred. Ludwig confirms that it is correct and can be used to describe a lively or enthusiastic curiosity or engagement in a particular subject or activity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enthusiastic interest

Replaces "spirited" with "enthusiastic", emphasizing strong positive feeling.

keen interest

Substitutes "spirited" with "keen", indicating eagerness and enthusiasm.

lively interest

Replaces "spirited" with "lively", highlighting the active and animated nature of the interest.

vibrant interest

Uses "vibrant" instead of "spirited" to convey a sense of energy and dynamism.

passionate interest

Emphasizes the depth and intensity of the interest with "passionate".

ardent interest

Replaces "spirited" with "ardent" suggesting a burning, zealous interest.

animated interest

Highlights the lively and expressive quality of the interest.

fervent interest

Suggests an intense and heartfelt interest.

zealous interest

Implies a strong and energetic support or advocacy.

vigorous interest

Uses "vigorous" to show an active and energetic interest.

FAQs

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

Use "spirited interest" to describe someone's enthusiastic and lively engagement with a topic. For example, "Her "spirited interest" in history led her to become a museum curator."

What are some alternatives to "spirited interest"?

Alternatives include "keen interest", "enthusiastic interest", or "lively interest", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "spirited interest" formal or informal?

"Spirited interest" is generally considered appropriate for both neutral and slightly informal contexts. For highly formal writing, consider using "strong interest" or "keen interest".

What's the difference between "spirited interest" and "keen interest"?

"Spirited interest" emphasizes the energy and enthusiasm behind the interest, while "keen interest" suggests eagerness and sharp focus. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the liveliness or the intensity of the interest.