interest

When you like something or someone, or when there’s an intellectual attraction, you can use the word "interest":

When I pronounce the word "interest," it has two syllables. Most Americans pronounce it this way. You can pronounce it with two or three syllables.

These sentences show how "interest" can be used as a verb. The first sentence shows "interest" in the active voice. The second sentence shows "interest" in the passive voice:

• Gardening interests me.
• I’m interested in gardening. (Do you notice how the subject and the object can be reversed in these sentences?)
• Music interests her.
• She’s interested in music.
• The study of English has interested Vadim for several years.
• Vadim has been interested in the study of English for several years.
• Tony was interested in Maria, but now he’s not.

The sentences above can be changed so that "interest" becomes an adjective.

• I think gardening is interesting.
• Music is interesting.
• Vadim finds English to be very interesting.

The adjective form can use an "ed" or "ing" ending:

• I’m interested.
• She’s not interested.
• This is interesting.
• That movie wasn’t very interesting.

The next set of sentences provides examples of "interest" as a noun:

• I have an interest in gardening.
• She has an interest in music.
• Vadim has many interests, one of which is the study of English.
• Tony had some interest in Maria, but not any longer.

Note: Be careful not to confuse the words "interested" and "interesting." This is a very common mistake that many of my students make. If you need more help, take a look at this video.

Click here to go to the Word of the Day page.

This page was first published on January 21, 2012.