Meaning & use
keen in
Last updated
Meaning
phrasefixed phrase
Showing strong interest or enthusiasm in a particular activity or area.
Grammar: Followed by a noun or an -ing form: keen in sports, keen in helping.
Patterns
- keen in something
- keen in doing something
She is very keen in her studies and always finishes her homework early.
He is keen in helping his neighbors with their garden.
They are keen in learning new languages.
Common combinations
- keen in sports
- My brother is keen in sports and plays football every weekend.
- keen in learning
- The children are keen in learning about animals.
- keen in his work
- She is keen in her work and often stays late.
Synonyms and how they differ
- keen on
- The more common pattern; use 'keen on' before a noun or -ing form (keen on music), not 'keen in'.
- interested in
- A neutral alternative; 'interested in' is more general and less intense than 'keen in'.
Opposites
Commonly confused: keen in or keen on?
keen in vs keen on
Learners often mix 'keen in' and 'keen on'. 'Keen on' is far more common for hobbies and activities: She's keen on swimming.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence:
Choose one answer.
The standard phrase for an activity is 'keen on swimming'. 'Keen in' is possible only in limited patterns like 'keen in her studies', not with a simple hobby.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “keen in”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.