Foster the interest/interests of

[Mahba]

Hi everyone,

Should it be interest or interests in the following sentence?

They organized the Chemistry Club to foster the interest/interests of school-age children in chemistry.

Thanks

 

[S1m0n]

Chemistry is single, and interest in a single subject is uncountable, so use 'interest'.

 

[Glasguensis]

It needs to be interest. Note that “to foster an interest” is rarely used in everyday English.

 

[Mahba]

Chemistry is single, and interest in a single subject is uncountable, so use 'interest'.

What if it was not chemistry? let's say it was "medical professions". Should I use interests then?

 

[Mahba]

Chemistry is single, and interest in a single subject is uncountable, so use 'interest'.

Here is another example that I have "These educational opportunities foster the interest/interests of high school students in research careers".

 

[Glasguensis]

The fact that chemistry is singular is irrelevant: it needs to be interest no matter what it’s an interest in.

 

[Mahba]

It needs to be interest. Note that “to foster an interest” is rarely used in everyday English.

What's the best way to paraphrase this then? Can I say something like promoted/cultivated the interest of ...

I have another example which I posted in the previous comment.

 

[Glasguensis]

Cultivate or encourage would be more common.

 

[Mahba]

Cultivate or encourage would be more common.

Thank you.