were keen

USAGE SUMMARY

"were keen" is correct and usable in written English.
It is the past tense of "are keen," and is often used to describe enthusiasm or eagerness. For example, "We were keen to try the new restaurant in town."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His instincts were keen.

The New York Times - Arts

Tempos were keen.

The New York Times - Arts

Few soldiers were keen jungle-fighters.

The Economist

They were keen practical jokers.

The Guardian

"We were keen to improve the environment.

The Guardian

Many of the Founders were keen Freemasons.

The Guardian - Opinion

Jefferson and Adams were keen readers of Milton.

Princeton University

Colleagues were keen to pay tribute in return.

The Guardian

Macron and May were keen to demonstrate a close relationship.

The Guardian

It was a resemblance we were keen to avoid.

The Guardian

"The volunteers were keen across all the sites," he said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were keen" to express enthusiasm or eagerness in a past context. For example, "They "were keen" to participate in the project."

Common error

Avoid using "were keen" in present or future contexts. Instead, use "are keen" or "will be keen" respectively. For example, instead of "They were keen to join now", say "They are keen to join now."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were keen" functions as a verb phrase acting as an adjective, describing the state of being eager or enthusiastic in the past. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its correct and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

18%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

4%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were keen" is a common and grammatically correct way to express past enthusiasm or eagerness. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. While synonyms like "were eager" or "were enthusiastic" exist, "were keen" maintains a distinct nuance. To ensure accurate writing, remember to use "were keen" for plural subjects and past contexts. By following these guidelines, you can confidently incorporate "were keen" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were enthusiastic

Direct synonym, replacing "keen" with a more general term for enthusiasm.

were eager

Similar to "enthusiastic" but implies a sense of impatience or anticipation.

were willing

Focuses on readiness and consent rather than excitement.

had a strong interest

More formal and emphasizes the level of interest.

were inclined

Suggests a predisposition or tendency towards something.

were disposed

Similar to "inclined" but can also imply a personal preference.

expressed interest

Highlights the act of showing interest rather than the feeling itself.

took a great liking

Implies a positive emotional connection and enjoyment.

were predisposed

Emphasizes the inclination as a result of certain influence or factor.

felt strongly about

Highlights the intensity of the feeling or opinion.

FAQs

What does "were keen" mean?

"Were keen" means to have had a strong enthusiasm or interest in something in the past. It indicates a willingness and eagerness to participate or engage.

How can I use "were keen" in a sentence?

You can use "were keen" to describe someone's past eagerness. For example, "The students "were keen" to learn about the new topic", or "The team "were keen" to start the project".

What can I say instead of "were keen"?

You can use alternatives like "were eager", "were enthusiastic", or "were willing" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "was keen" instead of "were keen"?

No, "was keen" is used with singular subjects, while "were keen" is used with plural subjects or with 'you'. For example, "He was keen to participate", but "They "were keen" to participate".