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English in a Minute Series 4

Intermediate level

Verbs to use with 'interest'

Episode 240820 / 20 Aug 2024

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Introduction

To have an interest in something means you want to know about it. There are some words that we often use together, like 'catch' and 'interest' - these are called collocations. Learn some of the verbs that we often use with the noun 'interest' with Phil.

Common collocations with 'interest'

catch interest
If something catches your interest - you notice it and want to know more about it.

  • The cover of that book really caught my interest. It shows a beautiful place. I'd love to know what it's like to live there.

drum up interest
If you drum up interest in something, you do something to make people aware of something, and make them interested. A promotion is often a way to drum up interest in a product.

  • I'm talking to people to drum up interest in my party. You should come! The food, music, and company will all be great!

spark interest
Something that sparks interest inspires you to find out more about something. It is often the reason that you are interested in something.

  • Going to Italy on a school trip sparked my interest in Roman history. I've bought loads of books about it now.

feign interest
If you feign interest in something, you pretend to be interested in something. People might do this to avoid hurting others' feelings, or to avoid an awkward situation.

  • I didn't really want to hear about his holiday, but I feigned interest in it, and asked a few questions. It was a mistake, he kept on talking for hours! 

flagging interest
If your interest in something is flagging, it means that you are starting to get bored by it. It may be getting harder to pay attention to it.

  • The problem with long meetings is that my interest starts flagging after a while. I never remember what people have said after the first hour.

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TRANSCRIPT

Note: This is not a word-for-word transcript.

Phil
How can we catch your interest? We could teach you verbs to use with 'interest'.

If you want people to be interested in something, you could do something to drum upinterest. If something gets people interested on its own, it sparksinterest.

I've made some posters to drum upinterest in my concert.
The professor's charisma sparked my interest in the topic.

If you pretend to be interested in something, you feigninterest. If you're losinginterest in something, your interest is flagging.

I feignedinterest in what he had to say until he found someone else to talk to.
I had hoped it would be a good film, but my interest was flagging by the second hour.

We hope this video has sparked your interest, but we'll stop before it starts flagging.

 

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