took interest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "took interest" is correct and usable in written English.
Generally, you can use "took interest" when talking about someone showing or expressing interest in an activity or topic. For example: "When Joe heard about the new project, he took interest and began asking questions about how he could help."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A large urban newspaper took interest.

The New York Times

And Kris took interest in all those subjects.

The New York Times - Sports

When John Alderson took interest in his son's work, he was just returning the favor.

The New York Times - Sports

Nelson also took interest in climate change, especially its effects on his home state.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Around the same time, an editor at Doubleday Ireland took interest in "The Spinning Heart".

The New York Times

He took interest in all of the neighborhood's children and always gave us advice.

The New York Times

Miraculously, the salmon took interest and began tracking the Pollywog, prompting me to strip faster.

The New York Times - Sports

"I don't know enough about it, never really took interest in it," he shrugged.

The New York Times

An immensely wealthy backer took interest — the textile magnate Marcel Boussac.

The New Yorker

Initially, the Louvre took interest in Mr. Badinter's idea, assigning an art curator, Marie-Anne Marie-Anne Dupuy-Vachey Dupuy-Vachey

The New York Times - Arts

He took interest in the drums after listening to musicians who played clubs in the area in the 1930s.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "took interest", ensure the object or subject of interest is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, "He took interest in the project's outcome".

Common error

Avoid using incorrect prepositions after "took interest". The correct form is "took interest in" followed by the subject of interest. For example, say "She took interest in the new research" not "She took interest to the new research".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "took interest" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past action of showing curiosity or engagement. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous examples where individuals or organizations expressed interest in something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "took interest" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe a past action of showing curiosity or engagement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and frequently used across diverse contexts, including news, encyclopedias, science, and general knowledge domains. To use it effectively, ensure you clarify the subject of interest and avoid common prepositional errors. Consider alternatives like "became interested" or "showed interest" for nuanced expression. With a neutral register and high frequency, "took interest" is a reliable phrase for describing past engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

became interested

Uses a more direct verb indicating a change in state.

showed interest

Emphasizes the outward display of interest.

expressed interest

Focuses on communicating interest verbally or in writing.

developed an interest

Highlights the gradual formation of interest.

evinced interest

A more formal and less common way to say "showed interest".

paid attention

Indicates a general attentiveness which implies interest.

was curious about

Highlights the inquisitive aspect of interest.

had an interest in

Expresses a state of having interest, emphasizing possession of it.

gravitated towards

Implies a natural attraction or inclination.

focused on

Suggests a concentrated attention, which may stem from interest.

FAQs

How to use "took interest" in a sentence?

You can use "took interest" to describe someone showing curiosity or engagement in something in the past. For example, "The editor "took interest" in the manuscript and decided to publish it".

What can I say instead of "took interest"?

Alternatives to "took interest" include "became interested", "showed interest", or "expressed interest" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "took interest in" or "took interest to"?

"Took interest in" is the correct and standard usage. "Took interest to" is grammatically incorrect. For instance, "He "took interest in" the discussion about climate change" is correct.

What's the difference between "took interest" and "developed an interest"?

"Took interest" implies an initial, immediate curiosity or engagement, while "developed an interest" suggests a gradual growth of curiosity or engagement over time.