with earnest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "with earnest" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to emphasize the seriousness or intensity of an action. For example, "He studied with earnest, determined to pass the exam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Some of the casual shots ended up with earnest offspring.

The New York Times - Arts

The ensemble sings with earnest refinement, a certain detachment and evident enjoyment.

The New York Times

It was partly to do with demography, partly to do with earnest muddleheadedness.

The Economist

The vibraphonist Stefon Harris has done all of these things, with earnest diligence.

The New York Times

The restaurant radiates a sense of mission, with earnest rather than attitudinal service.

The New York Times - Food

Instead, they rambled on with earnest platitudes that could have been said about anyone.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

So let's begin with earnest Washington-based alt-rockers Death Cab for Cutie.

The Guardian - Music

The room filled with earnest women and timid and aggressive men.

The New Yorker

The games, though played with earnest effort by both sides, have not been exciting.

The New York Times - Sports

Tall and slender with earnest blue eyes, he seemed embarrassed by all that he couldn't remember.

The New York Times

It's always possible, with earnest determination, to home in on your inner buoyancy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "with earnest" to highlight genuine effort or emotion, particularly when describing someone's approach to a task or their expression of feeling.

Common error

While grammatically sound, using "with earnest" in overly casual or informal situations can sound stilted. Opt for simpler expressions like "sincerely" or "really" in such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with earnest" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or adjective to emphasize the sincerity, intensity, or seriousness of an action or quality. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a grammatically sound and usable construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "with earnest" is a grammatically correct and frequently used prepositional phrase that emphasizes the sincerity and seriousness behind an action or sentiment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a usable construction in formal and neutral contexts. While versatile, it is most appropriate for conveying deep commitment and genuine intent. The phrase appears commonly in news and media, but its application should be tempered in casual settings to avoid sounding overly formal. By using it carefully, writers can effectively highlight the heartfelt nature of the subject, giving the reader a better insight. Alternatives include "with sincerity" and "with seriousness", which allow for slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with sincerity

Focuses specifically on the genuineness of the feeling.

with seriousness

Emphasizes the gravity and importance attributed to the action.

in all seriousness

Highlights the solemn and thoughtful nature of the statement or action.

with dedication

Shifts the focus to the commitment and effort involved.

with profoundness

Emphasizes the depth and significance of the emotion or thought.

with commitment

Underlines the dedication and resolve shown.

with wholeheartedness

Stresses the completeness and unreserved nature of the feeling.

with gravity

Emphasizes the weight and solemnity of the action or statement.

with heartfelt emotion

Highlights the genuine and deeply felt nature of the sentiment.

in a serious manner

Describes the way in which something is done, highlighting its seriousness.

FAQs

How can I use "with earnest" in a sentence?

Use "with earnest" to describe an action performed with sincerity and seriousness, like, "She approached the project "with earnest" determination."

What are some alternatives to using "with earnest"?

Alternatives include phrases like "with sincerity", "with seriousness", or "in all seriousness", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "with earnest" or "earnestly"?

"With earnest" is a prepositional phrase, while "earnestly" is an adverb. The choice depends on sentence structure; use "with earnest" before a noun (e.g., "with earnest effort") and "earnestly" to modify a verb (e.g., "She tried earnestly").

In what contexts is "with earnest" most appropriate?

The phrase "with earnest" is well-suited for formal writing or situations where you want to emphasize the genuine and serious nature of an action or sentiment. It may sound out of place in very casual conversation.