taking an interest

USAGE SUMMARY

"taking an interest" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it whenever you are talking about someone expressing interest in something, either by taking the initiative themselves or by being receptive to someone else's interest. For example: "John was taken by surprise when his co-worker showed such a keen interest in gardening, but he was glad to be taking an interest in a new hobby."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Taking an interest in the same activities will let him know you are interested in him.

WikiHow

Politicians are taking an interest.

The Economist

Even Tesco is taking an interest.

Independent

And, inevitably, Hollywood started taking an interest.

The Guardian - Music

The US is taking an interest.

The Guardian - Business

"Thanks for taking an interest in my stuff".

The New Yorker

No wonder media giants are taking an interest.

The Economist

The party is not taking an interest in their concerns.

Independent

Meanwhile, competition regulators have begun taking an interest in patents.

The Economist

I think it's still worth taking an interest.

The Guardian

Even America's Supreme Court, which employs its own form of rights-balancing, is taking an interest.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "taking an interest", clarify the object of interest to provide context and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid repetitive use of "taking an interest" by substituting it with alternatives like "showing interest", "expressing curiosity", or "becoming engaged" to add variety to your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "taking an interest" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun within a sentence. It describes the action of showing curiosity, concern, or engagement with a particular subject or person, as evidenced by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

7%

Academia

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "taking an interest" is a grammatically sound and very common gerund phrase used to describe the act of showing curiosity, concern, or engagement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and versatility across various contexts. While suitable for both formal and informal communication, it's crucial to provide context for clarity. Consider substituting it with alternatives like "showing interest" or "expressing curiosity" to avoid redundancy. Predominantly found in "News & Media", "Wiki", and "Formal & Business" sources, it's a valuable phrase for expressing active engagement in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

showing interest

Focuses on the act of displaying interest rather than the process of developing it.

expressing interest

Highlights the communication of interest, whether verbally or through actions.

developing an interest

Emphasizes the growth of interest over time.

having an interest

Indicates a pre-existing interest, rather than its initial adoption.

becoming interested

Highlights the transition into a state of interest.

displaying curiosity

Shifts the focus to the underlying curiosity that drives the interest.

paying attention

Implies a more general attentiveness, not necessarily a specific interest.

showing concern

Suggests a level of care or worry beyond mere interest.

getting involved

Indicates active participation as a result of interest.

taking a liking

Suggests a more emotional or personal connection.

FAQs

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

You can use "taking an interest" to describe someone showing curiosity or concern. For example, "She is "taking an interest" in the local community projects".

What are some alternatives to "taking an interest"?

Alternatives include "showing interest", "expressing interest", or "becoming interested", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "take interest" instead of "taking an interest"?

"Take interest" is the base form of the verb, while ""taking an interest"" is a gerund phrase. The choice depends on the grammatical structure of your sentence.

What's the difference between ""taking an interest"" and "having an interest"?

"Taking an interest" implies an active process of becoming engaged, whereas "having an interest" suggests a pre-existing inclination.