with interest

USAGE SUMMARY

"with interest" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to convey that someone is enthusiastic or curious about something. For example: "He listened to her story with interest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Start with interest rates.

The New York Times

$25 With Interest?

The New York Times

Offset it with interest?

The New York Times

I await results with interest".

Independent

Hollywood watches from the wings with interest.

Independent

I looked at myself with interest.

The New Yorker

The world will watch with interest.

The Economist

"Indeed," said Miss Marple with interest.

The New Yorker

Max explored the mini-bar with interest.

Independent

I've read them all with interest.

The New York Times

Auchlyne estate will watch developments with interest.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "with interest" to indicate genuine curiosity or attentiveness, particularly when describing someone's reaction or observation. For example, instead of saying 'he watched the presentation', try 'he watched the presentation with interest' to convey a more engaged response.

Common error

While versatile, avoid overuse of "with interest" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise language to convey specific nuances of engagement or analysis. For example, use "scrutinized" instead of "looked with interest" when referring to a critical examination.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with interest" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe the manner in which an action is performed. Ludwig examples show it modifies verbs like 'watch', 'read', and 'follow', indicating how the action is carried out. It adds information about the level of engagement or curiosity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

19%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "with interest" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to describe the manner in which an action is performed, conveying curiosity or attentiveness. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and commonly used in written English. Its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for a wide range of contexts, including news media, formal communications, and general writing. While alternatives like "attentively" or "keenly" exist, "with interest" provides a clear and accessible way to express engagement, according to Ludwig examples, but care should be taken to avoid overuse in formal and academic writing, which could be better served by more precise terms.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with curiosity

Directly replaces 'interest' with a synonym. Keeps the preposition "with" but is limited to situations related to curiosity.

attentively

Single word adverb conveys a focused attention, thus changes in grammatical structure.

keenly

Implies a sharp or eager interest. Semantic similarity is high.

with enthusiasm

Highlights a passionate or excited interest. Very close in meaning, but emphasizes emotion.

with anticipation

Focuses on expectation or excitement for something to come, slightly changes the nuance.

intrigued

Expresses a sense of fascination or being captivated. It changes the phrase structure.

with rapt attention

Suggests a completely absorbed and focused interest. More intense and descriptive.

carefully

Highlights the analytical and mindful approach someone is having. Less about emotional side of interest and more about cognitive.

thoughtfully

Implies a reflective and considerate interest, thus changes in grammatical structure.

attentively watching

Adds the watching action so changes the meaning more specifically.

FAQs

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

You can use "with interest" to describe how someone is observing, listening, or reading something. For example: "She followed the developments "with interest"." It shows they are curious or attentive.

What are some alternatives to "with interest"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "attentively", "with curiosity", or "keenly" to express a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "with interest" in formal writing?

Yes, "with interest" is generally acceptable in formal writing, but consider whether a more precise term would better convey the specific nuance you intend. Sometimes, a single word like "attentively" or "keenly" might be more effective.

What's the difference between "with interest" and "with anticipation"?

"With interest" suggests general curiosity or attentiveness, while "with anticipation" implies a focus on future expectations or excitement. "She watched the experiment "with interest"" means she was curious. "She awaited the results "with anticipation"" means she was eagerly expecting them.