In your journey to prepare for the IELTS exam, mastering expressions to describe feelings and interests is essential to making your speaking and writing sound more natural and impressive. One common expression that many candidates often misuse is "keen on." So what does "keen on" mean, and how can you use it effectively in your IELTS test?
In this article, IDP will guide you through the structure “keen on”—from its core meaning to practical usage—and share tips on how to use it naturally in your IELTS Writing and Speaking to impress examiners and boost your band score.
1. What Does “Keen on” Mean?
“Keen on” is a common phrasal verb in English, typically used to express a strong interest, enthusiasm, or passion for something or someone. It is a great alternative to overusing “like” or “love” in IELTS responses, helping you showcase a richer vocabulary and more native-like expression.
Examples:
They are keen on starting the project as soon as possible.
She’s not particularly keen on the idea of moving abroad.
Additionally, the adjective keen can carry several meanings depending on context:
Meaning | Example |
|---|---|
Sharp or intense | a keen blade – a sharp knife |
Fierce or strong | keen competition – intense competition |
Sensitive or perceptive | a keen sense of smell – sharp senses |
Eager or enthusiastic | a keen student – an eager learner |
2. How to Use “Keen on” Correctly
To use “keen on” naturally in English (especially in IELTS), it’s important to understand its grammatical structure and know what type of word follows it. Here's how to use it properly:
Structure 1: Keen on + Noun / Noun Phrase
Use this when expressing interest in a thing, person, or idea.
Structure: S + be + keen on + Noun / Noun Phrase
Examples:
She’s very keen on classical music.
They’re quite keen on the new restaurant.
You can also add adverbs like very, quite, or really to indicate degree of interest.
Structure 2: Keen on + V-ing (Gerund)
When expressing interest in an activity, always follow “keen on” with a verb in -ing form (not the infinitive).
Structure: S + be + keen on + V-ing
Examples:
My parents are keen on gardening.
I’m keen on learning new languages.
Using “Keen on” in Negative Sentences
To express disinterest, simply insert “not” after the verb to be.
Examples:
I’m not keen on cooking tonight.
She was not keen on the idea of changing jobs.
3. Difference Between “Keen on” and “Keen to”
Both “keen on” and “keen to” are commonly used to express enthusiasm, but they differ in meaning and structure:
Feature | Keen on | Keen to |
|---|---|---|
Meaning | Strong interest or affection | Strong eagerness or willingness to act |
Followed by | Noun / Gerund (V-ing) | Infinitive verb (to + V) |
Example | She is keen on playing tennis. | They are keen to start the project soon. |
Use “keen on” for general likes and interests, and “keen to” when expressing eagerness to do something.
4. Similar Expressions to “Keen on”
To avoid repetition and add variety to your IELTS vocabulary, consider these synonyms of “keen on”:
Expression | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
Fond of | Have affection or mild liking | I’m fond of spending time with my family. |
Interested in | Curious or engaged in learning/discovery | She’s interested in learning about other cultures. |
Passionate about | Deep passion or dedication | He’s passionate about environmental protection. |
Crazy about / Mad about | Extreme enthusiasm (informal) | My son is crazy about video games. |
Enthusiastic about | Eager and energetic interest | He’s very enthusiastic about history. |
Eager to + V | Strong desire to take action | I’m eager to start my new job. |
How to Use “Keen on” in IELTS Speaking & Writing
Using “keen on” naturally in your responses can help you achieve a higher score in Lexical Resource, one of the key assessment criteria in the IELTS Speaking and Writing tests.
In IELTS Speaking Part 1:
Use “keen on” to talk about your hobbies, interests, or preferences.
Example: Q: Do you enjoy reading? A: Yes, I’m really keen on historical fiction—it helps me relax and learn something new at the same time.
In IELTS Speaking Part 2:
Use it when describing something you like doing or are passionate about.
Example cue card: Describe a hobby you enjoy. A: One of my favorite hobbies is photography. I’m especially keen on capturing cityscapes at night because of the lighting and atmosphere.
In IELTS Speaking Part 3:
Use “keen on” when discussing opinions or comparing trends.
Example: Q: Do you think young people are keen on traditional art these days? A: I think many are not as keen on traditional art as they are on digital or modern forms. However, there’s a growing interest in reviving traditional crafts.
In IELTS Writing Task 2:
You can use it to clearly express public or personal opinions.
Example: Many young people are keen on working in startups due to the creative freedom and growth opportunities they offer.
Master the Use of “Keen on” to Boost Your IELTS Score
“Keen on” is a powerful phrase to express interest, enthusiasm, or passion. By using it effectively—alongside similar expressions like fond of, passionate about, and enthusiastic about—you can demonstrate greater lexical variety and precision, helping you impress the examiner in both IELTS Speaking and IELTS Writing.
At IDP, we offer a wide range of high-quality IELTS preparation resources, including practice tests, mock exams, and expert guidance to help you master essential grammar and vocabulary. You can take the computer-delivered IELTS with faster results in just 2–5 days, or try a free IELTS mock test to become familiar with the format.
Register for your IELTS test with IDP today to unlock exclusive benefits and take the next step towards your desired band score!