Collocations for interest - noun
1. desire to learn/hear more about sb/sth
ADJ.
avid, burning, close, considerable, consuming, deep, great, intense, keen, lively, passionate, strong
The police were starting to take a close interest in the company''s activities. | She always had a great interest in the supernatural.
The police were starting to take a close interest in the company''s activities. | She always had a great interest in the supernatural.
particular | growing, increasing | slightest
He''s never shown the slightest interest in football.
He''s never shown the slightest interest in football.
general, widespread | worldwide | serious | genuine | abiding, lifelong | passing | renewed | added
I''ll watch the programme with added interest now I know you''re in it.
I''ll watch the programme with added interest now I know you''re in it.
active | passive | polite
He showed a polite interest in her story.
He showed a polite interest in her story.
personal | media
The event attracted a lot of media interest.
The event attracted a lot of media interest.
VERB + INTEREST
have | evince, express, show, take
My cousin expressed an interest in seeing where I work.
My cousin expressed an interest in seeing where I work.
feign, simulate
She feigned interest in a magazine article to avoid meeting the man''s stare.
She feigned interest in a magazine article to avoid meeting the man''s stare.
lose | arouse, attract, awaken, caught, drum up, excite, generate, kindle, spark, stimulate, stir up, whip up
A sticker on a bag caught my interest. | The government failed to drum up any public interest in the referendum. | A childhood journey sparked his lifelong interest in railways.
A sticker on a bag caught my interest. | The government failed to drum up any public interest in the referendum. | A childhood journey sparked his lifelong interest in railways.
develop
While in prison he developed an interest in art.
While in prison he developed an interest in art.
maintain, sustain
Despite intensive publicity, Channel 4 failed to maintain interest in its expensive new show.
Despite intensive publicity, Channel 4 failed to maintain interest in its expensive new show.
revive
INTEREST + VERB
grow | flag, wane
The children''s interest began to flag after half an hour of the lesson.
The children''s interest began to flag after half an hour of the lesson.
PREP.
for/out of ~
I''m asking purely out of interest.
I''m asking purely out of interest.
with ~
They listened with interest.
They listened with interest.
~ among
to stimulate interest among teachers
to stimulate interest among teachers
~ from
growing interest from younger members
growing interest from younger members
~ in
She took an active interest in their welfare.
She took an active interest in their welfare.
2. quality that attracts attention
ADJ.
great | particular
Her comments are of particular interest to me.
Her comments are of particular interest to me.
broad, general, wide | architectural, artistic, historic/historical, scientific | academic
Since the championship has already been decided, this match is of purely academic interest.
Since the championship has already been decided, this match is of purely academic interest.
human
a plot devoid of human interest
a plot devoid of human interest
love
Angelina Jolie supplies the love interest in the film.
Angelina Jolie supplies the love interest in the film.
VERB + INTEREST
be of
His books are of no interest to me at all.
His books are of no interest to me at all.
hold no
Their conversation held no interest for me.
Their conversation held no interest for me.
add
Bushes that flower in winter will add interest to your garden.
Bushes that flower in winter will add interest to your garden.
supply
INTEREST + VERB
lie in
The interest of the painting lies in its unusual use of colour.
The interest of the painting lies in its unusual use of colour.
PREP.
of ~
a building of greatarchitectural interest
a building of greatarchitectural interest
3. sth you enjoy doing/learning about
ADJ.
diverse, varied, wide, wide-ranging | private | artistic, musical, etc.
VERB + INTEREST
have | share | pursue
He wanted time to pursue his many and varied musical interests.
He wanted time to pursue his many and varied musical interests.
4. money earned from investments
ADJ.
annual, monthly, etc. | compound, simple
VERB + INTEREST
earn, make, receive | pay | charge
INTEREST + VERB
accrue, bear
INTEREST + NOUN
rate | payment | charge
PREP.
~ on
to pay interest on a loan
to pay interest on a loan
PHRASES
a rate of interest
a mortgage with a fixed/flexible rate of interest
a mortgage with a fixed/flexible rate of interest
5. benefits that sth has for sb
ADJ.
best
It''s not in your best interests to let your boss know you''re looking for a new job.
It''s not in your best interests to let your boss know you''re looking for a new job.
self-, selfish | common, mutual | competing, contradictory | long-term, short-term | narrow
narrow sectional interests
narrow sectional interests
direct
Lawyers have a direct financial interest in the outcome of the debate.
Lawyers have a direct financial interest in the outcome of the debate.
paramount, vital | vested | national, public | class, sectional | foreign, outside | economic, financial, political, strategic, etc.
VERB + INTEREST
defend, guard, look after, protect, safeguard | act in, advance, champion, further, promote, serve
He claimed to be acting in the public interest.
He claimed to be acting in the public interest.
represent | act against, jeopardize, threaten
INTEREST + VERB
lie in sth | be at stake
INTEREST + NOUN
group
Various interest groups have expressed their opposition to the policy.
Various interest groups have expressed their opposition to the policy.
PREP.
against sb/sth''s ~(s)
The solicitor refused to act against his client''s interests.
The solicitor refused to act against his client''s interests.
contrary to sb/sth''s ~
The union refused to support proposals that it saw as contrary to the interests of its members.
The union refused to support proposals that it saw as contrary to the interests of its members.
in sb/sth''s ~(s)
New work practices were introduced in the interests of efficiency.
New work practices were introduced in the interests of efficiency.
of ~
We met to discuss matters of common interest.
We met to discuss matters of common interest.
out of ~
He was obviously acting purely out of selfish interest.
He was obviously acting purely out of selfish interest.
PHRASES
a conflict of interests
One member of the planning committee had a conflict of interests as he lived near the proposed motorway.
One member of the planning committee had a conflict of interests as he lived near the proposed motorway.
have sb''s (best) interests at heart
Although he was sometimes too strict with his children, he had their best interests at heart.
Although he was sometimes too strict with his children, he had their best interests at heart.
6. legal right to share in profits
ADJ.
powerful | controlling, majority | minority | joint | banking, business, commercial, shipping
VERB + INTEREST
have
He has controlling interests in several ventures.
He has controlling interests in several ventures.
sell
PREP.
~ in