that was interested

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that was interested" is not correct in standard written English.
It should be "that was interesting" if you are describing something that captures attention or curiosity. Example: "The documentary we watched last night was so captivating that I can confidently say that it was interesting."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

"I used to know everyone that was interested in the language.

Independent

One firm that was interested in IMG, Colony Capital, made a preemptive bid that was rebuffed.

The New York Times

Janet was able to find a gallery in Jersey City that was interested in them".

The New York Times

"We wanted to make sure it was accessible to anyone in New York that was interested in technology and design," Mr. Pritzker said.

The New York Times

Many replies opened with expressions of relief – "I've never encountered anyone or anything that was interested in the general ideas men have about masculinity".

Independent

Part of Dilfer's problem, according to a team that was interested in him, is that his demeanor is too low-key in interviews.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

There are nonprofit groups that are interested.

The New York Times

There are a lot of business people that are interested.

The New York Times

"We have multiple teams that are interested in playing.

The Guardian - Sport

All these other directors that were interested took other jobs.

The Guardian - Film

Only nodes that are interested get the resource.

Complex Adaptive Systems Modeling

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "that was interested". Instead, use phrases like "that was interesting" if you're describing something intriguing, or "who was interested" if referring to someone showing interest.

Common error

Many writers mistakenly use "that was interested" when they mean "that was interesting" or "who was interested". Ensure you're using the correct adjective form (interesting) to describe something that evokes interest, or the correct relative pronoun (who) to refer to someone expressing interest.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was interested" functions as a relative clause, attempting to modify a noun by describing a state of being interested. However, Ludwig AI points out that the phrase is grammatically incorrect in standard English. The intended meaning often needs the substitution of "interesting" or a rephrasing using "who was interested".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

25%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "that was interested" appears frequently across various sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. The intended meaning often requires using "that was interesting" or "who was interested", depending on whether you're describing something intriguing or referring to someone showing interest. Given its prevalence despite being incorrect, it's crucial to understand the correct alternatives to ensure clear and accurate communication. Always consider the context and aim for grammatical precision to avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

who showed interest

Replaces the passive voice construction with an active voice, specifying who displayed the interest.

that took an interest

Emphasizes the act of actively taking an interest in something.

who were keen on

Uses a more informal expression to indicate enthusiasm or interest.

that found it interesting

Focuses on the subject finding something to be interesting, shifting the emphasis.

that were fascinated by

Indicates a strong level of interest or captivation.

that expressed curiosity

Highlights the expression of curiosity, a form of interest.

who had an inclination towards

Suggests a natural tendency or leaning towards something.

that demonstrated enthusiasm for

Emphasizes the demonstration of enthusiasm, showcasing their interest.

that felt drawn to

Suggests an almost magnetic attraction or interest.

that were intrigued by

Implies a sense of mystery or curiosity that sparked their interest.

FAQs

What's wrong with using "that was interested"?

The phrase "that was interested" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase to use when describing something that evokes interest is "that was interesting". Alternatively, if you are referring to a person or entity showing interest, use "who was interested".

What can I say instead of "that was interested" when describing something?

When describing something that evokes interest, use alternatives such as "that was interesting", "that was "engaging"", or "that was "captivating"".

Which is correct, "that was interested" or "who was interested"?

"Who was interested" is grammatically correct when referring to a person or entity displaying interest. "That was interested" is generally incorrect and should be replaced with "that was interesting" when describing something that evokes interest.

How do I use "who was interested" in a sentence?

You can use "who was interested" to describe individuals or groups showing interest in something. For example, "We sent the proposal to everyone "who showed interest" in the project".