actually fond of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "actually fond of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a genuine liking or affection for someone or something, often in contrast to a previous assumption or statement. Example: "I didn't think I would enjoy classical music, but I find myself actually fond of it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

And they are actually fond of him.

The New York Times

I am actually fond of United, have flown hundreds of thousands of miles with them, and have upper-tier status with them.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

I was really fond of Joe.

BMC Palliative Care

He was actually quite fond of Mom.

The New Yorker

I'm not too worried: there's not enough of these fruit flies to call it an infestation, and I'm actually quite fond of these diminutive insects.

The Guardian

They press right up next to each other, and I'm actually pretty fond of them — they're straightforward and surprisingly sturdy, and they sort of fade into the background most of the time.

The New Yorker

Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling were actually both fond of identifying tax loopholes that could be closed to raise additional revenues – for example, budget 2008 found £500m through anti-avoidance measures.

The Guardian

(For instance, if you have a database of "boxes," you can search for boxes with "length greater than 5" or "width greater than 3″…but not both at the same time. I'm actually very fond of BigTable, which I've used fairly extensively, but I have on multiple occasions found this infuriating).

TechCrunch

I actually was not fond of that shirt.

Independent

"I'm actually not very fond of it".

The New Yorker

Once this relationship was established, my brain was more forgiving of the seemingly dominant bezel, and I actually became rather fond of the looks.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "actually fond of" to express a genuine liking, often when it contrasts with an initial expectation or assumption. It adds a layer of surprise or discovery to the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "actually" in every sentence. While "actually fond of" is a valid phrase, overuse of "actually" can make your writing sound hesitant or less confident. Vary your sentence structure and word choice to maintain a clear and engaging tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "actually fond of" functions as an adjective phrase expressing affection or liking, often with an element of surprise or unexpected discovery. As Ludwig indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "actually fond of" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase used to express genuine liking, often highlighting a contrast with prior expectations. Ludwig confirms its acceptability and provides numerous examples of its usage across various contexts. While prevalent in news and media, science, and encyclopedias, it's essential to avoid overusing the word "actually" to maintain clear and engaging writing. Alternative phrases, such as "really fond of" or "genuinely fond of", can add nuance to your expression of affection.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

genuinely fond of

Emphasizes the sincerity of the affection.

really fond of

Intensifies the degree of fondness.

truly fond of

Highlights the authentic nature of the fondness.

quite fond of

Indicates a moderate level of fondness.

rather fond of

Suggests a somewhat understated fondness.

personally fond of

Indicates a personal connection or preference.

particularly fond of

Emphasizes a specific fondness above others.

especially fond of

Similar to particularly, highlighting a specific fondness.

exceedingly fond of

Indicates a very strong fondness.

incredibly fond of

Highlights the remarkable nature of the fondness.

FAQs

How can I use "actually fond of" in a sentence?

Use "actually fond of" to express a genuine liking, often in contrast to a previous assumption. For example, "I didn't think I'd enjoy hiking, but I'm "actually fond of" it now."

What are some alternatives to "actually fond of"?

You can use alternatives like "really fond of", "genuinely fond of", or "quite fond of" depending on the context and the level of emphasis you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "fond of" and "actually fond of"?

"Fond of" simply means liking something or someone. Adding "actually" emphasizes that this fondness might be surprising or contrary to what was expected. It highlights a discovered or unexpected liking.

Can "actually fond of" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "actually fond of" can be used in formal writing, especially when you want to convey a sense of genuine and perhaps surprising appreciation. However, consider the tone of your piece and whether a more direct expression of liking would be more appropriate. Alternatives could include "truly fond of" or "genuinely fond of".