to exhibit interest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to exhibit interest" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's engagement or curiosity about a topic, activity, or opportunity. Example: "During the meeting, several team members chose to exhibit interest in the new project proposal."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Perhaps the self-proclaimed "spiritual" folks mean only that they exhibit interest while others neglect this duty.

Los Angeles Times

However, the first to exhibit an interest in the foundations of mathematics were the ancient Greeks.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In spite of its eclectic material, the manuscript appears to exhibit an interest in purposeful design.

Johns Hopkins University

Hardre, Sullivan, & Crowson., (2009) reported that rural students who could see the "usefulness and value" of school learning, had a greater tendency to "exhibit an interest in school, put forth effort, and exhibit intentions to graduate and go on to postsecondary opportunities" (p. 13).

Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning

Science faculty at many universities have been known to teach in a more authoritarian style, with little encouragement of classroom discussion; to use only multiple-choice exams; and to exhibit less interest in students' personal development (Astin, 1993).

CBE Life Sciences Education

To the contrary, they are just exhibiting interest in my background.

Huffington Post

The Times has compiled a list of potential applicants, including some who have not exhibited interest and would need to be recruited, such as Long Beach Unified Supt.

Los Angeles Times

William Swan, head of admissions at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, says students whose portfolios reflect versatility, exhibiting interest in different realms of life drawing, are likely to have an advantage over those who display narrower concerns.

The New York Times

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has exhibited interest in becoming John McCain's vice presidential running mate, a Republican strategist says.

Huffington Post

None of these figures exhibited interest in such issues, and whatever interests they may have shared, there was no palace cabal plotting to abrogate the Constitution or to bring Brazil back under Portugal's control.

Wikipedia

Students who engage in novel scientific research as part of their undergraduate education demonstrate improved understanding of concepts and are more likely to exhibit a continued interest in science (Russell et al., 2007; Lopatto, 2009; Mervis, 2010).

CBE Life Sciences Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to exhibit interest" when you want to convey a deliberate showing of curiosity or engagement, especially in professional or academic contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "to exhibit interest" in very casual situations where simpler alternatives like "to show interest" or "to be interested in" would sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to exhibit interest" functions as an infinitive phrase, often acting as a verbal complement within a clause. It describes the action of showing curiosity or engagement.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to exhibit interest" is a grammatically correct infinitive phrase used to describe the act of demonstrating curiosity or engagement. It is generally appropriate for formal and professional contexts, though simpler alternatives like "to show interest" may be more suitable for casual situations. Although Ludwig's AI confirms its grammatical correctness, the absence of exact matches in the provided data suggests it might not be as frequently used as other similar phrases. When you need to express the idea of someone showing engagement, remember that "to exhibit interest" is more formal than other options.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to show interest

This is a more direct and common way to express the same idea.

to demonstrate interest

This phrase suggests a more active and intentional display of interest.

to express interest

Similar to "show interest", but can imply a verbal or written communication.

to manifest interest

This option is more formal and suggests that the interest becomes apparent.

to display curiosity

This alternative emphasizes the aspect of inquisitiveness.

to evince interest

This is a more formal and somewhat archaic way to say "to show interest".

to take an interest

This phrase suggests adopting a longer-term or deeper level of engagement.

to have an interest

This indicates a pre-existing inclination or concern.

to indicate interest

Suggests a subtle or indirect communication of interest.

to reveal interest

This phrase implies that the interest was previously hidden or unknown.

FAQs

How can I use "to exhibit interest" in a sentence?

You can use "to exhibit interest" to describe someone showing curiosity or engagement. For example: "During the presentation, many attendees chose to exhibit interest in the proposed solution."

What's a less formal way to say "to exhibit interest"?

Less formal alternatives include "to show interest" or "to be interested in".

Is there a difference between "to exhibit interest" and "to show interest"?

"To exhibit interest" often implies a more deliberate or outward display of curiosity, while "to show interest" is a more general expression.

When is it appropriate to use "to exhibit interest"?

It's appropriate to use "to exhibit interest" in formal settings, such as academic discussions, professional presentations, or written reports. In casual conversations, simpler alternatives may be preferred.