Meaning & use
to be keenly interested
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Meanings
phrasefixed phrase
to have a strong and enthusiastic interest in something
Grammar: Usually followed by 'in' + noun or -ing form: 'keenly interested in art'. It is stronger than 'quite interested'.
Patterns
- be keenly interested in something
- be keenly interested in doing something
She is keenly interested in environmental science.
The students were keenly interested in the guest speaker's research.
He is keenly interested in learning how machines work.
phrasefixed phraseformal
to pay close attention to something because you care about it
Grammar: Often used in formal writing about people watching or following a subject closely.
Patterns
- be keenly interested in something
- keenly interested observers
Investors are keenly interested in the company's next report.
The public was keenly interested in the trial.
Common combinations
- keenly interested in
- She is keenly interested in ancient history.
- keenly interested in doing something
- They are keenly interested in joining the research team.
- keenly aware
- He is keenly aware of the risks involved.
- keenly felt
- The loss was keenly felt by the whole community.
Synonyms and how they differ
- very interested
- More common and neutral; 'keenly interested' adds a sense of strong enthusiasm and sounds slightly more formal.
- enthusiastic
- Focuses on showing excitement; 'keenly interested' focuses more on attention and curiosity.
- fascinated
- Stronger and suggests being completely captured by something; 'keenly interested' is a little less intense.
Opposites
Word family
- keen adjective
- Very interested or eager.
- keenly adverb
- In a very strong or intense way.
- interest noun
- A feeling of wanting to know more about something.
- interested adjective
- Wanting to know or learn more about something.
Commonly confused: to be keenly interested or keen on?
to be keenly interested vs keen on
'Keen on' is a British informal phrase meaning 'very interested in or liking something': 'She's keen on tennis.' 'Keenly interested in' is more formal and works in both British and American English.
Practice
The researchers are keenly interested ______ how the virus spreads.
Choose one answer.
The correct preposition after 'interested' is 'in'. 'On' is used with 'keen on' but not with 'keenly interested', and 'about' and 'for' do not fit this pattern.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “to be keenly interested”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.