Differences between "keen to" and "keen on"
Hi there!
I would like to know the difference between these two expressions. I know that "keen to" means something like eager to do something in the future, or something like that, and "keen on" means something in the present. Could "to be willing to" be a synonym for "keen to"? And, "fond of" for "keen on"?

Thanks in advance!

Question

Differences between "keen to" and "keen on"
Hi there!
 I would like to know the difference between these two expressions. I know that "keen to" means something like eager to do something in the future, or something like that, and "keen on" means something in the present. Could "to be willing to" be a synonym for "keen to"? And, "fond of" for "keen on"?

Thanks in advance!

Answer

Keen to means that you want to do something. I am keen to eat at that new restaurant. Keen on is something that you have a positive feeling about, I am keen on classic cars. Many times the things you are keen on will suggest the things you are keen to do, but there so there is a lot of cross over.

Answer

keen = eager or want something very much
keen to (+ infinitive) - keen to help
keen on (+ -ing) - keen on going to the zoo
keen for (sth or sth to happen) - keen for a pizza / keen for malls/restaurants to re-open
keen on sth (a hobby) - keen on tennis
keen on (sb) British (= attracted to someone) - keen on Jack/jane

Answer

Rather than "willing to", it's more synonymous with "excited to" or "want to" :)

Usually it's:
- keen to do something
- keen on doing something
- keen on (noun)

Answer

Thanks, Guyomar!
I have actually read somewhere that someone is keen on someone else. It did sound a bit strange for me at first.

Answer

Perhaps it's regional slang, but "keen on" is usually used to describe having a crush on someone.

Ex: My brother is keen on the exchange student - he thinks she's so pretty.

"keen to" typically indicates an eagerness to do something.

Ex: I am keen to learn Spanish.