keen on
keen on — phrasal verb
- keen onbase form
- keens on3rd person singular
- keening on-ing form
- keened onpast simple
1. to like something a lot or to be very interested in it, wanting to spend time do
to like something a lot or to be very interested in it, wanting to spend time doing it or learning about it
Daniel is keen on photography and takes his camera everywhere he goes.
be keen on + noun (photography)
Aylin's daughter is keen on swimming and practises every afternoon after school.
be keen on + -ing form (swimming)
Gabriel isn't very keen on spicy food, so he orders mild dishes when eating out.
The children are keen on trying the new playground equipment at the park.
- fond of
similar meaning but slightly less intense; can sound old-fashioned
- into
informal; used mainly in casual conversation ('He's really into photography')
- crazy about
more intense and informal; suggests strong enthusiasm
- indifferent to
neutral lack of interest, without negative emotion
- not keen on
the direct negative form, for mild dislike or disinterest
文法句型
be keen on + noun / -ing
用法筆記
Frequently used in negative constructions ("not very keen on") to express a mild lack of interest rather than strong dislike.
常見錯誤
2. to be very attracted to someone and hope to start a romantic relationship with t
to be very attracted to someone and hope to start a romantic relationship with them
Rodrigo has been keen on Aylin since they met at cooking class last spring.
be keen on + person (romantic interest, British informal)
Tara suspected her new colleague was keen on her because he smiled at her often.
Quan asked his sister if she was keen on anyone at school this year.
Inês realised her cousin's roommate was keen on her after he asked for coffee.
- attracted to
more direct and neutral; works in both British and American English
- sweet on
old-fashioned British informal; same meaning but dated
- interested in
the standard American English alternative for romantic interest
- not interested in
direct opposite; neutral in tone
文法句型
be keen on + person
用法筆記
This romantic sense is primarily British and informal. In American English, speakers more commonly say 'interested in' someone or 'have a crush on' someone. The phrase often leaves room for uncertainty — it suggests the speaker suspects attraction rather than stating it as a confirmed fact. Commonly used in present perfect ('has been keen on') and simple past ('was keen on').
常見錯誤
3. to be very eager or excited about doing something, especially an activity or exp
to be very eager or excited about doing something, especially an activity or experience that is planned or about to happen
Mathieu is keen on joining the hiking trip to the mountains next weekend.
be keen on + -ing (planned activity)
The students were keen on hearing the author speak at the school book fair.
Baraka is keen on learning Mandarin before his company transfers him to Taipei.
Kenji is keen on visiting the science museum during his trip to London next month.
- excited about
very similar in meaning; perhaps slightly stronger in emotional tone
- eager to
followed by infinitive ('eager to join') rather than -ing; more formal
- enthusiastic about
more formal; works in written and professional contexts
- reluctant to
suggests unwillingness rather than mere lack of interest
文法句型
be keen on + -ing (activity about to happen)
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: sense 1 (LIKE GREATLY) describes a general, ongoing interest ("keen on photography"), while this sense (ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT) focuses on eagerness to take part in a specific upcoming event or activity. The object is usually a dynamic -ing form or a noun describing an event, not a static noun for a general topic.