a wave of affection

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a wave of affection" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sudden and overwhelming feeling of love or fondness towards someone or something. Example: "As she walked into the room, he felt a wave of affection wash over him, reminding him of all the good times they had shared."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

But he departed the stage with a wave of affection and sympathy, his reputation for dignity and courage intact.

Independent

He was swept to power in 2010, partly on a wave of affection for his late mother, Corazon Aquino, the first president after the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos.

The Economist

Forced by illness to miss three consecutive events, he returned in June for a final appearance, and was greeted by a wave of affection.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

His best films are 20-plus years in the past but he continues to ride a wave of critical affection based on fond memories of movies seen long ago.

Huffington Post

I experienced a wave of nostalgic affection when I sighted the familiar features of Beaker, Animal and Sam the Eagle, and there are some solid jokes and gags scattered throughout the first two episodes.

Huffington Post

There looked to be a second wave of affection for you following the Emmys.

The Guardian

The humour and charm of this works only if carried on a wave of buoyancy – if it's quick and full of vim and affection.

The Guardian

That's especially true this season, as a wave of new bars, lounges and clubs put up their velvet ropes and jockey for the affection of South Beach's famously hedonistic party people.

The New York Times - Travel

A result was a wave of refugees.

The New York Times

A wave of guilt washed over me.

The New York Times

A wave of laudatory headlines follows.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a wave of affection" to vividly describe a sudden and strong feeling of love or fondness. It works well to depict emotional responses to events or people.

Common error

Avoid using "a wave of affection" in highly formal or technical writing. It can sound overly sentimental or informal. Opt for more neutral phrasing like "a show of support" or "demonstration of goodwill" in such situations.

Linguistic Context

A wave of affection functions as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, describing an emotional experience. Ludwig's examples show it expressing a strong feeling directed towards a person or event.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a wave of affection" is a grammatically sound and emotionally evocative phrase that describes a sudden, strong feeling of love or fondness. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While it's most commonly found in news and media contexts, it's important to consider the tone and formality of your writing when deciding whether to use it. Alternatives like ""a surge of fondness"" or ""a rush of warmth"" may be more appropriate in certain situations. Remember that "a wave of affection" refers to a specific, immediate feeling, distinguishing it from general affection.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a surge of fondness

Replaces "wave" with "surge" and "affection" with "fondness", altering the imagery while retaining the core meaning of a sudden, strong feeling.

a flood of tenderness

Substitutes "wave" with "flood" and "affection" with "tenderness", emphasizing the overwhelming and gentle nature of the feeling.

a rush of warmth

Replaces "wave" with "rush" and "affection" with "warmth", focusing on the comforting and pleasant sensation.

a burst of fondness

Substitutes "wave" with "burst" and "affection" with "fondness", highlighting the sudden and intense nature of the feeling.

a tide of goodwill

Replaces "wave" with "tide" and "affection" with "goodwill", shifting the focus to a more general feeling of positive regard.

an outpouring of love

Alters the structure to emphasize the expressive and abundant nature of the affection.

a groundswell of adoration

Substitutes "wave" with "groundswell" and "affection" with "adoration", suggesting a widespread and deeply felt sentiment.

a spectrum of kindheartedness

Presents a multifaceted view of kindness, moving away from a single surge of emotion.

an upwelling of sentiment

Emphasizes the emotion as rising from within.

a heart full of warmth

Shifts the focus to the emotional state of the individual.

FAQs

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

You can use "a wave of affection" to describe a sudden, strong feeling of love or fondness. For example, "A wave of affection washed over her as she watched her children play."

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

You can use alternatives like "a surge of fondness", "a flood of tenderness", or "a rush of warmth" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a wave of affection" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a wave of affection" may be perceived as too sentimental for certain formal contexts. Consider using more neutral phrases like "a show of support" or "demonstration of goodwill" in such cases.

What's the difference between "a wave of affection" and "a lot of affection"?

"A wave of affection" describes a sudden, overwhelming feeling, while "a lot of affection" indicates a consistent, ongoing feeling of love or fondness.