zeal for

USAGE SUMMARY

"zeal for" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to describe someone's enthusiasm or eagerness for something. For example: "He had a great zeal for learning new things."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Mr. Murdoch's zeal for newspapers hasn't helped either.

The New York Times

Here the author is stymied by his zeal for granularity.

The New York Times - Books

The same zeal for uniformity made Louis attack the Jansenists.

Encyclopedia Britannica

His zeal for aquaponics led him to the farming class.

The New York Times

Not that anyone's zeal for fresh faces is unbounded.

The Economist

They have a refreshing zeal for electoral politics.

The New York Times

Sambol's zeal for obtaining market share seemed to match Mozilo's.

The New Yorker

She emerged from it, her zeal for activity nowise impaired.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But Crook says the zeal for reform must go on.

The Guardian

The tape cases demonstrate Armstrong's unsung zeal for collage.

The New York Times

Transhumanists share a welcome zeal for overcoming our limitations.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "zeal for" to describe a strong and active interest or enthusiasm in a particular activity, cause, or belief. It conveys a sense of energy and dedication beyond simple interest.

Common error

Avoid pairing "zeal for" with verbs that suggest passive reception or lack of agency. "Having zeal" is acceptable, but phrases like "receiving zeal" or "getting zeal" are grammatically incorrect and conceptually inappropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "zeal for" functions as a noun phrase followed by a preposition, typically used as a complement to describe a strong enthusiasm or dedication towards a particular subject, activity, or belief. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its proper usage in context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "zeal for" is a commonly used phrase to express strong enthusiasm or dedication towards something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous real-world examples demonstrating its usage across diverse contexts, from news articles to encyclopedic entries. While alternatives like "passion for" and "enthusiasm for" exist, "zeal for" carries a unique connotation of active and energetic interest. When writing, remember to use "zeal for" with verbs that reflect agency and avoid passive constructions. The phrase is versatile and suitable for both formal and informal communication, making it a valuable addition to your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

passion for

Replaces "zeal" with "passion", indicating a strong feeling of enthusiasm or excitement.

enthusiasm for

Substitutes "zeal" with "enthusiasm", conveying eagerness and interest.

dedication to

Shifts from an emotion to a commitment, using "dedication" instead of "zeal" and changing the preposition to "to".

fervor for

Replaces "zeal" with "fervor", suggesting intense and passionate enthusiasm.

ardor for

Uses "ardor" in place of "zeal", indicating a strong feeling of love or enthusiasm.

eagerness for

Replaces "zeal" with "eagerness", conveying a strong desire or impatience to do something.

commitment to

Changes the focus to a firm decision to do something, using "commitment" instead of "zeal" and changing the preposition to "to".

devotion to

Implies a deep love or dedication to a cause or person, substituting "zeal" with "devotion" and changing the preposition to "to".

intense interest in

Replaces "zeal" with "intense interest", describing a high level of curiosity or concern.

strong appetite for

Uses a more metaphorical expression, indicating a great desire or enthusiasm, replacing "zeal" with "strong appetite".

FAQs

How can I use "zeal for" in a sentence?

Use "zeal for" to describe someone's strong enthusiasm or passion for something. For example, "Her "zeal for" environmental conservation drove her to start a local recycling program."

What are some alternatives to "zeal for"?

You can use alternatives such as "passion for", "enthusiasm for", or "dedication to" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "zeal towards" instead of "zeal for"?

While "zeal" can sometimes be followed by "towards", it is more common and natural to use ""zeal for"" when expressing enthusiasm or passion for a particular thing or activity. "Zeal towards" might be used to indicate a general direction of enthusiasm.

What's the difference between "zeal for" and "fervor for"?

Both ""zeal for"" and "fervor for" imply strong enthusiasm, but "fervor" suggests a more intense and often emotional level of passion than "zeal".