What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
eagerly
Example
The children eagerly waited for the ice cream truck to arrive. [eagerly: adverb]
Example
She eagerly accepted the job offer and started working the next day. [eagerly: adverb]
keenly
Example
He was keenly interested in learning about different cultures. [keenly: adverb]
Example
She listened keenly to the music, appreciating every note. [keenly: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Eagerly is more commonly used than keenly in everyday language. Eagerly is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while keenly is less common and often used in more formal or literary contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between eagerly and keenly?
Keenly is generally considered more formal than eagerly. While eagerly can be used in both formal and informal contexts, keenly is more commonly used in formal writing or speech.
