"I found I had an interest" vs "I found that I had an interest"

Question

"I found I had an interest" vs "I found that I had an interest"

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'I found that I had an interest' is more formal and emphasizes the discovery of the interest. 'I found I had an interest' is more casual and direct, focusing on the fact of having the interest without emphasizing the discovery process.

Last Updated: March 27, 2024

This phrase is more direct and casual, focusing on the fact of having an interest without emphasizing the discovery process.

Examples:

I found I had an interest in photography when I was a teenager.
He found he had an interest in cooking after watching a cooking show.
She found she had an interest in astronomy when she saw a shooting star.

Alternatives:

I realized I had an interest
I discovered I had an interest
I noticed I had an interest
I came to realize I had an interest
I learned I had an interest

This phrase is used to emphasize the discovery of an interest. It is more formal and structured.

Examples:

I found that I had an interest in art after taking a painting class.
She found that she had an interest in history while reading a biography.
They found that they had an interest in gardening after visiting a botanical garden.

Alternatives:

I discovered that I had an interest
I realized I had an interest
I came to realize I had an interest
I noticed that I had an interest
I learned that I had an interest

Answer 1

I found I had an interest

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English, especially in casual conversations or informal writing.

Answer 2

I found that I had an interest

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English, especially in formal writing or speech.

"I found I had an interest" vs "I found that I had an interest"

I found I had an interest

I found that I had an interest

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