a thing for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a thing for" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate a particular habit or interest that someone has. For example, "My sister has a thing for animals, so she owns two cats and a hamster."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He has a thing for burgers.

The New York Times - Food

I have a thing for Day.

The New York Times

Computer: A thing for using Google.

The New Yorker

He has a thing for Berkeley Square.

The Guardian - Film

He has a thing for curbside puddles.

The New Yorker

Nobody, however, knows a thing for sure.

The New York Times - Books

Imagine you have a thing for birds.

University of California, Berkeley

Chisholm: That's a thing for me, too.

The Washington Post

Thomas Edison had a thing for concrete.

The Guardian

"Ava had a thing for bullfighters".

The Guardian - Books

Don Paterson has a thing for sonnets.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a thing for" to casually express an interest or liking, particularly when introducing a topic or explaining someone's preferences. For example, "He's got a thing for vintage cars."

Common error

Avoid using "a thing for" in formal or academic writing where a more precise or sophisticated term might be appropriate. Consider using alternatives like "penchant" or "affinity" for a more formal tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a thing for" functions as an idiomatic expression used to indicate a particular liking, interest, or preference towards something. As evidenced by Ludwig, it appears in various contexts to denote personal affinities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a thing for" is a common idiomatic expression used to express a fondness or interest in something. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in tone, it leans toward informality and should be used judiciously in formal writing. When a more formal tone is required, consider using alternatives like ""a penchant for"" or ""an affinity for"". Remember that "a thing for" is versatile for casual conversation and informal writing, but might not suit highly formal or technical contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a liking for

A more general term for enjoying something.

a fondness for

Indicates a warm, affectionate liking.

an affinity for

Implies a natural liking or connection.

a soft spot for

Indicates a tender or affectionate liking, often for something considered vulnerable.

a penchant for

Suggests a stronger inclination or liking, often implying a habitual tendency.

a partiality to

Suggests a bias or preference toward something.

a taste for

Implies a refined appreciation or preference.

an inclination toward

Suggests a leaning or tendency, often less intense than a passion.

a weakness for

Suggests a liking that is hard to resist, sometimes implying indulgence.

an enthusiasm for

Implies a strong excitement and interest.

FAQs

How can I use "a thing for" in a sentence?

You can use "a thing for" to express someone's interest or preference, as in "She has "a thing for" old movies" or "He's always had "a thing for" collecting stamps".

What are some alternatives to "a thing for"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "a fondness for", "a penchant for", or "an affinity for" to express a similar meaning.

Is "a thing for" considered formal or informal?

"A thing for" is generally considered informal. In more formal contexts, you might choose a more sophisticated phrase like "a predilection for" or "an inclination toward".

Can "a thing for" be used to describe inanimate objects?

While it's more common to use "a thing for" to describe a person's interest, it can also be used to describe an object's intended purpose or characteristic, although this usage is less frequent. For example, "This tool has "a thing for" precision cutting" is less common than "He has "a thing for" precise tools".