The difference between keen and eager

  • Thread starter Unregistered
  • Start date
  • Views : 58,775
Status
Not open for further replies.
U

Unregistered

Guest
Hi,

She sounded very eager/keen to meet you.

What is the different meanings between eager and keen here?

Thanks in advance.
 

2006

Key Member
Joined
Apr 9, 2007
Member Type
Other
Native Language
English
Home Country
Canada
Current Location
Canada
Hi,

She sounded very eager/keen to meet you.

What is the difference in meaning between "eager" and "keen" here?

Thanks in advance.
There is no difference in meaning there.
 

David L.

VIP Member
Joined
Nov 7, 2007
Member Type
Other
'keen' has the sense of 'very much/deeply intellectually interested and 'revving' to pursuing some interest or activity'

'eager' adds to this a sense of emotional excitement and enthusiasm, with a touch of 'can't get enough' of it.

If these words were being used appropriately, then in your sentence

She sounded very keen to meet you - ( because you both share an interest, or know a lot more about some subject or have an especial skill in an activity.)

She sounded very eager to meet you.- (because from what she has heard about you, you may be the 'man of her dreams' perhaps?)

Because 'eager' is the more emotionally based of the two, the sense of eagerness is of a shorter duration, just as the intensity of an emotional feeling is of a shorter duration than an intellectual interest. Hence, I can be a 'keen gardener', indicating a hobby pursued over many years; but not 'eager gardener'. But I can be 'eager' to get started on something which has fired my intellectual interest and has me emotionally excited. Once I start, the emotion will probably soon calm down, and I am left feeling 'keen' to keep going and do more.

Again, therefore, in terms of your sentence: I may be eager to meet someone, but if I find them dreary, I am probably not keen to pursue the relationship!
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top