Keen and eager can be used interchangeably to express that a person wants to do something very much and is happy/excited about it:
- Sam is really keen to work with you.
- Sam is really eager to work with you.
In the above examples, Sam is happy to work with you and would like to start it as soon as possible.
- All the boys were eager to help when they saw Marilyn was in trouble.
- All the boys were keen to help when they saw Marilyn was in trouble.
In this example, the boys were happy to help Marilyn and wanted to do so very much (possibly because Marilyn is a very pretty girl).
Keen has some other meanings as well:
- LIKE
I’m not keen on doing homework. = I don’t like doing homework. - STRONG/ SHARP (feelings/senses)
Paul took a keen interest in his nephew’s career. = Paul took a strong interest in his nephew’s career.It’s not only dogs. Cats have a keen sense of smell too. = Cats have a sharp sense of smell.
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