bonding

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "bonding" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the act of forming an emotional connection with someone or something. For example: "We spent a whole day bonding over our mutual love of cats."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

And while the prospect of spending several consecutive days in close proximity to a bunch of strangers didn't immediately appeal, our status as sailing amateurs allowed for bonding as we grappled with knots and sailing terms over nightly Carib beers.

The Guardian - Travel

This, our first holiday with all the children (including my 21 year old son Sam) post baby Flora, is meant to be a chance for us to spend a happy time bonding together.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I don't want to be the stereotypical dad of my parents' generation, where he goes off to work and she stays home with the kids," said Hutchinson. "I want to be bonding with the baby when it's very small.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

By the end of week two we were bonding.

The Guardian

Powerful hormones such as oxytocin are involved in bonding between friendship groups and the levels of these chemicals may contribute towards how much you can feel of another individual's pain and how motivated you are to take an action based on that.

The Guardian

Active trips are best for bonding.

The Guardian - Travel

But a big obstacle to working mothers is Japan's corporate culture, with its long office hours and late nights out bonding with colleagues.

The Economist

True instincts, like turtles making their way to the sea or ducklings bonding with their mothers, require no learning.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

In a world where the main threats to human young are air quality and meningitis, pair-bonding with a man with a thick neck does not help.

The Guardian - Film

And when we used to go out for the odd team-bonding session on a Saturday night in Stockton, certain members of the team had to cover up the tattoos on their faces with their girlfriends' make-up, just so they could get into the nightclubs.

The Guardian - Sport

Sometimes referred to as the "cuddle hormone", this is secreted in childbirth and during breastfeeding, and seems to encourage pair-bonding and trust in others.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bonding" to describe the process of forming strong emotional connections between people, or the act of joining things together physically or chemically.

Common error

Avoid using "bonding" loosely in contexts where more precise terms like "adhesion", "connection", or "linkage" would be more appropriate. For example, in engineering or construction, specify the type of "bonding" process involved.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "bonding" is that of a noun, often referring to the process of forming emotional connections or physical unions. Ludwig AI confirms that "bonding" is usable in written English and is commonly used to describe the act of forming an emotional connection.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Formal & Business

27%

Science

24%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bonding" is a versatile term widely used to describe the formation of connections, whether emotional, physical, or chemical. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It appears frequently in news, business, and scientific contexts. To ensure clarity, consider the specific context and choose more precise terminology if needed, such as "adhesion" or "emotional connection". Using synonyms like "connection", "attachment", or "rapport" can also enhance specificity. The word is acceptable in most situations; use best practices to avoid overuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

emotional connection

Directly refers to the emotional links formed between people.

attachment

Highlights the emotional tie or affection formed between individuals.

connection

Focuses on the link or relationship established between individuals or elements.

rapport

Suggests a harmonious or sympathetic relationship.

affinity

Emphasizes a natural liking or sense of kinship.

cohesion

Stresses the act of sticking together or forming a united whole.

close relationship

Describes an intimate and affectionate association between people.

togetherness

Implies a state of being close or united.

solidarity

Emphasizes unity or agreement of feeling or action, especially among individuals with a common interest.

unification

Highlights the process of becoming one or forming a single entity.

FAQs

How can I use "bonding" in a sentence?

You can use "bonding" to describe forming an emotional connection, as in "The trip was a great opportunity for team bonding". It can also refer to physical or chemical joining, such as "The adhesive is used for bonding the materials together".

What are some synonyms for "bonding"?

Synonyms for "bonding" include "connection", "attachment", "affinity", and "rapport", depending on the context.

Is "bonding" formal or informal?

"Bonding" is generally considered a neutral term suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though its usage may vary slightly depending on the specific situation. In technical contexts, more precise terminology may be preferred.

What's the difference between "bonding" and "attachment"?

"Bonding" often refers to the process of forming a connection, while "attachment" usually describes the emotional result of that process. For example, "The retreat facilitated team bonding, leading to stronger attachments among the members".