that interested me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that interested me" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing personal interest or curiosity about a specific topic, event, or idea. Example: "The documentary on climate change was fascinating, and the statistics presented were that interested me the most."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

.. that interested me.

The Guardian - Music

All of that interested me, but I don't actually care who had the best chili.

The New Yorker

That interested me, and I decided I wanted to explore it systematically".

The New York Times - Arts

"That interested me as a historian, but I also wanted to know what the younger generation thinks of this.

The New York Times

Wyly: Well, I've really just done things that interested me at that time.

Forbes

It wasn't so much actually the U.S.-ers involved that interested me, it was the Central Americans that interested me.

University of California, Berkeley

"In college the only thing that interested me was dating.

The New York Times

One area that interested me was cognitive processing.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Of course it was the pistol that interested me most.

The New Yorker

But they also brought aggression, something that interested me.

The New York Times - Arts

It was that second innings that interested me more.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing your motivation or selection criteria, use "that interested me" to show the driving factor behind your choice or engagement.

Common error

Avoid using "that interested me" excessively in formal writing where more sophisticated vocabulary might be more appropriate. Consider alternatives like "that I found compelling" or "that sparked my curiosity" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that interested me" functions as a relative clause modifying a noun or pronoun. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its common usage in expressing personal interest or attraction to a particular subject or aspect. The 'that' introduces a clause providing additional information about something previously mentioned.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Academia

14%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that interested me" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey personal interest or curiosity. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is most commonly found in news and media and academic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in what exactly sparked your interest, and consider more formal alternatives like "that piqued my interest" in professional settings. Avoid overuse to maintain a varied and engaging writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that caught my attention

Focuses on something grabbing one's focus.

that piqued my interest

Emphasizes a slight or initial stimulation of curiosity.

that appealed to me

Highlights the attractiveness or desirability of something.

that fascinated me

Indicates a strong sense of captivation and intrigue.

that intrigued me

Implies a sense of mystery or curiosity.

that drew me in

Suggests a compelling force attracting one's attention.

that sparked my curiosity

Highlights the initiation of inquisitiveness.

that I found compelling

Emphasizes the persuasive or irresistible nature of something.

that resonated with me

Implies a deep, personal connection or agreement.

that held my attention

Highlights the ability of something to maintain one's focus over time.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "that interested me" to sound more formal?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases such as "that piqued my interest", "that I found compelling", or "that aroused my curiosity" to maintain a professional tone.

Is it correct to say "that was interesting to me" instead of "that interested me"?

Both "that interested me" and "that was interesting to me" are grammatically correct. However, "that interested me" is often more concise and direct, while "that was interesting to me" can sometimes sound more descriptive or explanatory.

What are some synonyms for "that interested me" that don't use the word "interest"?

Alternatives include "that appealed to me", "that attracted me", or "that fascinated me", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How to use "that interested me" in a sentence?

You can use "that interested me" to express your personal interest or curiosity about a topic or event. For example: "The historical context of the novel, "that interested me", made the story more engaging."