a source of affection

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a source of affection" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something that provides love, care, or emotional warmth. Example: "Her kind words were a source of affection that brightened my day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Over the years, much of her love was so specifically conditioned on her feelings about how much her children and grandchildren weighed that, as painful as the experience might have been, we learned not to seek her out as a source of affection.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

She will be more fully revealed as a courtesan, but is it out of the question that she saw in him a final refuge, security, even a source of constant affection?

The Guardian - Books

She argues that conscience is not an immediate source of moral knowledge, as Burnet would have it, but a source of moral affection or feeling that complements, and presupposes, a proper (i.e., rational) knowledge of moral laws.

SEP

Stu's family were a vital source of affection and support throughout all the challenges he faced and among the last things he wrote was a picture book entitled What Would You Rather?, dedicated to his beloved nephew and niece.

The Guardian - Books

For one, the relationship between rider and horse is unquantifiable and is a great source of affection, support and connection that is hard to describe adequately in words.

WikiHow

Cockburn identifies the moral sense as being a source of this disinterested affection essential to moral decision-making.

SEP

Petting may be done for its own sake as an expression of affection and a source of pleasure, and it may occur as a preliminary to coitus.

Encyclopedia Britannica

After his parents were killed when he was young, Orochimaru's only source of affection was received from his teacher, the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, and his two teammates.

Wikipedia

Most husbands and wives feel very possessive of their spouses and interpret extramarital activity as an aspersion on their own sexual adequacy, as indicating a loss of affection and as being a source of social disgrace.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But for others, affection, intimacy, and a source of constant love ranks high on the list of needs that could be considered luxuries, but go a long way toward making someone a happier and more bearable person.

Huffington Post

Writing about "Ishtar" before, I emphasized May's depiction of artistic obsession, as an object of derision, a source of wild comedy, and nonetheless a tenderly sad tumult of affection.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a source of affection" to describe people, pets, places, or activities that offer emotional comfort and warmth. For example, "For many, pets are a constant source of affection."

Common error

While "a source of affection" is appropriate in many contexts, avoid overusing it in a single piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "a wellspring of fondness" or describing specific actions that demonstrate affection.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a source of affection" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or an object of a preposition. It describes something or someone that provides or evokes feelings of love and emotional warmth. Ludwig's examples demonstrate how the phrase fits into various sentence structures.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

25%

Wiki

23%

Science

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

17%

Formal & Business

12%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a source of affection" is a grammatically sound and meaningful expression used to describe something or someone that provides emotional comfort and love. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts, though its frequency is relatively uncommon. The phrase appears in diverse sources ranging from news and media to encyclopedias and wikis. While appropriate in many scenarios, it's important to consider synonyms and varied language to prevent overuse. Overall, this phrase is a valuable addition to one's vocabulary for expressing positive sentiment and emotional connection.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fount of love

Replaces "source" with "fount", emphasizing abundance and flow of affection.

a wellspring of fondness

Substitutes "source" with "wellspring" and "affection" with "fondness", suggesting a deep, continuously available supply of warm feelings.

a font of endearment

Replaces "source" with "font" and "affection" with "endearment", implying a continuous and expressive display of love.

a harbor of tenderness

Uses a metaphorical "harbor" to represent a safe and comforting place of affection.

a haven of warmth

Replaces "affection" with "warmth", focusing on the comforting and secure aspects.

a comfort provider

Shifts the focus to the active role of providing comfort rather than just affection.

a giver of love

Highlights the act of giving affection, emphasizing the generosity involved.

an emotional support

Focuses on the supportive aspect of affection, highlighting the provision of emotional aid.

a solace giver

Emphasizes the role of providing comfort and relief from distress through affection.

a beacon of emotionality

Uses a metaphorical "beacon" to highlight the guiding and illuminating quality of affection.

FAQs

How can I use "a source of affection" in a sentence?

You can use "a source of affection" to describe someone or something that provides love, care, or emotional warmth. For example, "Her kind words were "a source of affection" that brightened my day."

What are some alternatives to "a source of affection"?

You can use alternatives like "a fount of love", "a wellspring of fondness", or "a haven of warmth depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "source for affection" or "a source of affection"?

"A source of affection" is the idiomatic and grammatically correct phrasing. "Source for affection" is less common and may sound awkward to native English speakers.

Can inanimate objects be described as "a source of affection"?

Yes, inanimate objects can be described as "a source of affection" if they evoke feelings of love, comfort, or nostalgia. For example, "Her grandmother's quilt was "a source of affection", reminding her of childhood."