interest in + topic
Talking about curiosity or involvement
This is the most common pattern with interest.
He developed an interest in astronomy.
How to use prepositions with interest
Interest is most commonly followed by in when talking about curiosity or involvement. Other prepositions have more limited uses.
Quick answer
Common prepositions with interest
Use interest in for curiosity, hobbies, or involvement. Interest on is used mainly in finance for money paid on loans or savings. Interest to can mean importance to someone. Interest of appears in fixed expressions such as in the interest of.
She has a strong interest in photography.
The bank increased interest on savings accounts.
The proposal may be of interest to investors.
The bank increased interest on savings accounts.
The proposal may be of interest to investors.
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
interest on + money
Talking about finance
Use on for money earned or charged.
They paid high interest on the loan.
interest to + person
Showing relevance or appeal
Use to when something is interesting or important to someone.
The report is of interest to researchers.
in the interest of + noun
Expressing benefit or advantage
This fixed phrase means for the benefit of something.
They changed the policy in the interest of safety.
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
interest in
She showed interest in modern art.
standard expression for curiosity or involvement
interest on
The company pays interest on deposits.
used in financial contexts
interest to
The exhibition will be of interest to students.
shows relevance or appeal
interest of
The decision was made in the interest of fairness.
appears in fixed expressions, not usually directly after interest
interest with
The museum tried to create interest with interactive displays.
with introduces a separate method, not a fixed combination
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Using on instead of in for hobbies
Use interest in for subjects, hobbies, and activities.
✕ She has an interest on music. ✓ She has an interest in music.Using to without of
The common pattern is of interest to.
✕ The article is interest to me. ✓ The article is of interest to me.Confusing financial and general meanings
Interest on is mainly about money, not curiosity.
✕ He showed interest on science. ✓ He showed interest in science.Using with as a fixed pair
Interest with is not a standard fixed construction.
✕ They expressed interest with the project. ✓ They expressed interest in the project.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. She has a lifelong interest ___ history.
2. The bank charges interest ___ unpaid balances.
3. The lecture may be of interest ___ teachers.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the most common preposition after interest?
Interest in is the most common pattern for curiosity or involvement.
When do we use interest on?
Use interest on in financial contexts, such as interest on loans or savings.
Is interest with correct?
Not as a fixed combination. With may introduce another part of the sentence, but interest in is usually the correct pattern.
Related preposition guides
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