Meaning & use
interest vs interests
Last updated
Meanings
phrasefixed phrase
used to compare the uncountable noun 'interest' (a feeling of wanting to know about something) with the plural countable noun 'interests' (activities or subjects you enjoy or care about).
Grammar: This is an usage guide, not a single word; 'interest' is uncountable, while 'interests' is a plural countable noun.
Patterns
- interest in something
- interests in something
- have an interest in something
- have interests
She has a strong interest in art history.
His main interests are music and football.
The company has interests in several countries.
phrasefixed phrase
used to compare 'interest' meaning a share or stake in a business (often uncountable or singular) with 'interests' meaning several such shares or stakes.
Grammar: When talking about money or business, 'interest' can be uncountable (e.g., 'earn interest') or countable (e.g., 'business interests').
Patterns
- business interests
- financial interests
- have an interest in a company
She earns interest on her savings.
He sold his business interests in Asia.
They have a controlling interest in the firm.
Common combinations
- take an interest in
- He took an interest in photography after retirement.
- conflict of interests
- The politician faced a conflict of interests.
- personal interests
- Please list your personal interests on the form.
- vested interests
- The reform was blocked by vested interests.
Commonly confused: interest vs interests or interesting?
interest vs interests vs interesting
'Interesting' is an adjective meaning causing curiosity; 'interest' is a noun. Don't say 'I have an interesting in music' — say 'an interest in music'.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence:
Choose one answer.
'Interests' is the plural countable noun, so 'many interests' is correct. 'Many interest' is wrong because 'interest' is not countable here; 'much interests' is wrong because 'much' goes with uncountable nouns; 'a lot of interest' is grammatically possible but changes the meaning to a single general feeling, not several activities.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “interest vs interests”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.