Developing friendship

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Developing friendship" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the process of building or nurturing a friendship over time. Example: "Developing friendship takes time and effort, but the rewards are worth it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Developing friendship outside work can help enhance your professional relationship with your business partner.

WikiHow

The developing friendship is delicately handled and the moviemaking is funny and exhilarating.

The Guardian - Film

Ann disagreed - she felt that Lucy would still be jealous of our developing friendship.

The Guardian - Books

And even under these threadbare circumstances, the developing friendship between the two women carries a faint but effective dramatic charge.

The New York Times

His slowly developing friendship with Lorenzo, and his relationship with a particularly troubled young patient, are explored with understated tenderness, and Mr. Manfredi is a joy to watch.

The New York Times

Instead, they took their narrative arc from the developing friendship between Dean and Sal, and their transition from youth into adulthood.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

He said he still had difficulty developing friendships with most men.

The New York Times

(Studies indicate that being fat does not seem to hinder developing friendships and good relations with colleagues, she noted).

The New York Times

You're developing friendships and a team bond.

BBC

Joining groups, meeting people, and developing friendships will eventually create a new supportive environment.

Duke University

It's been around at least as long as developing friendships over milkshakes.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "developing friendship", consider the specific stage of the relationship. Use more active verbs like "building" or "fostering" for initial stages, and verbs like "nurturing" or "enhancing" for established friendships.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "developing friendship" can sound somewhat clinical in certain formal writing. Consider stronger, more active alternatives like "cultivating relationships" or "fostering connections" for a more impactful tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Developing friendship" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as the subject or part of the subject in a sentence. Ludwig examples demonstrate its usage in contexts related to building and enhancing relationships.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

19%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

3%

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Developing friendship" is a grammatically correct and commonly used gerund phrase that describes the process of building and nurturing friendships. As Ludwig AI confirms, its versatility allows it to be used in various contexts, from News & Media to Formal & Business settings. While suitable for most situations, consider alternatives such as "cultivating friendship" or "fostering friendship" for more formal or nuanced expressions. The key is to ensure that your choice reflects the specific stage and nature of the relationship you are describing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Cultivating friendship

Emphasizes nurturing and growth, similar to gardening. It may imply more deliberate effort.

Fostering friendship

Implies active encouragement and support of a friendship's growth, slightly more proactive.

Nurturing friendship

Focuses on providing care and attention to a friendship so that it can thrive, more intimate and caring.

Building a friendship

Focuses on the act of constructing a friendship from the ground up, more concrete and active.

Forming a friendship

Highlights the beginning or establishment of a friendship, more about the initial stage.

Establishing friendship

Focuses on setting up or securing a friendship, more formal and less common.

Growing a friendship

Emphasizes the natural increase and strengthening of a friendship over time, subtle and organic.

Enhancing friendship

Suggests improving the quality or value of an existing friendship, assumes a pre-existing relationship.

Advancing friendship

Focuses on progress and moving the friendship forward, implies a deliberate direction or goal.

Strengthening bonds

Broader term that applies to any relationship rather than explicitly friendship. It implies that are already some bonds that you are reinforcing

FAQs

How can I use "Developing friendship" in a sentence?

You can use "Developing friendship" as a gerund phrase, for example: "Developing friendship outside work can enhance professional relationships" or "Developing friendship is an ongoing process that requires effort and communication".

What are some alternatives to "Developing friendship"?

Alternatives include "building a friendship", "cultivating friendship", or "fostering friendship" depending on the context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is "Developing friendship" formal or informal?

"Developing friendship" is generally neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for very formal writing, consider using a more sophisticated alternative such as "cultivating relationships".

What is the difference between "Developing friendship" and "Having friendships"?

"Developing friendship" refers to the process of creating and nurturing a friendship, while "Having friendships" refers to the state of already possessing friends and established relationships.