Fluther: How do you say that you are "passionate" about something without ...

How do you say that you are "passionate" about something without sounding cliched?

Asked by Haleth (18947

) December 3rd, 2009
14 responses
“Great Question” (5

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For example, I’m passionate about wine. But you can’t just say, “I’m passionate about wine” without sounding like a personal ad. Or in a job search situation, nearly every applicant probably says they are passionate. It just sounds fake. What is a better way to say this?

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Topics: writing, language, passion

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Answers

I guess it depends, to some extent, on what you’re passionate about. I can say “I really like dogs!” & not sound too bad, but if you say “I really like wine!” it could be misconstrued. ;-) Hmm… “I’m really interested in fine wines”?? “I really enjoy fine wines”? I agree, saying you’re ‘passionate’ about something sounds a bit over the top.

ccrow (8097

)“Great Answer” (2

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“I’m a wino.”

Grisaille (12048

)“Great Answer” (8

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I enjoy learning about different wines?

poofandmook (17320

)“Great Answer” (3

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You could say “I’m big into…”, “I’m really interested in…”, “I’m a keen…”, “One of my biggest interests is…” and so on.

beautifulbobby193 (1699

)“Great Answer” (2

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Passionate is a good, strong, descriptive word. What’s wrong with using it? Get passionate about your right to use the word passionate.

Adagio (14059

)“Great Answer” (6

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Using Greek or Latin for your passion, whatever it is, makes it sound like you really enjoy it. So you’d say you’re an oenophile, which is Greek for “wine lover”.

aprilsimnel (30749

)“Great Answer” (5

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Show, don’t tell.

“I visit wineries every weekend and have a cellar with about 100 bottles of all varieties.” Or whatever the case may be.

nikipedia (28077

)“Great Answer” (9

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@nikipedia, you made a pun! Of sorts! If you’re a person who buys a lot of wine!

aprilsimnel (30749

)“Great Answer” (3

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Ardent, fervent, enthusiastic, avid, devoted, intense, hearty, lively, spirited

I love using as many alternates of “tired” words as I can find.

YARNLADY (46384

)“Great Answer” (2

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“I’m really into…..”

I’m a dog person…” – A little overused now to be sure.

“I’m crazy about….”

janbb (62884

)“Great Answer” (1

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It doesn’t sound ‘fake’ if you back it up with evidence. As @nikipedia said, show don’t tell. You should be doing that anyway in a job search situation.

sebastian_von_tulu (1027

)“Great Answer” (2

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