develop a fondness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "develop a fondness" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when describing the process of gradually liking or becoming attached to something or someone. Example: "Over time, she began to develop a fondness for classical music." Alternative expressions include "grow fond of" and "cultivate an affection for."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Birmingham's restaurants have become a lure for people who go on to develop a fondness for the city.

The New York Times

And, in a stark landscape of black rock and white ice, people who spend time here invariably develop a fondness for costumes.

The New York Times

They're old and unwanted, and as I'm from Detroit, where one can't help but develop a fondness for the forgotten, I find myself thinking of Old G.M. and its old plants even as press attention turns to the new company and the initial public offering that's supposed to help it pay off the $40 billion it still owes the government.

The New York Times

He's also got quite a heavy brow, a large head [58cm in diameter] and he's a very robust, strong gentleman". While Wilkinson can't claim to be a fan of his music ("too frilly"), the team did develop a fondness for their creation.

The Guardian - Music

"You develop a fondness for people who have had varying degrees of privilege," he said, adding that he had sympathy and affection for those who were "prisoners of their trust funds," the tragic rich who never taste the stimulation of accomplishment.

The New York Times

So a show, for instance, where one character is named George Michael, one character is named Michael, one character is named George and one character is named George Oscar (and perhaps another character is named Oscar), will be the kind of show you can almost guarantee people won't develop a fondness for.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

But London also developed a fondness for the harness.

The New Yorker

There, Hopper had also developed a fondness for guns.

The Guardian - Film

Especially as World Rugby, the sport's governing body, has developed a fondness for friendly fire.

Independent

To this end I've developed a fondness for carrying aluminium foil Ziplock pouches.

The Guardian - Travel

I met Anna, who had better coke than Phil and soon developed a fondness for me.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "grow to like" or "become attached to" to add variety to your writing and avoid repetition.

Common error

Avoid using "develop a fondness" to describe immediate attraction. This phrase indicates a process of growing affection over time, not an instant liking.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "develop a fondness" functions as a verb phrase, specifically indicating the gradual process of acquiring an affection or liking for something. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is grammatically sound and shows real-world examples across diverse contexts, particularly where affection grows over time.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The expression "develop a fondness" is a grammatically correct and relatively uncommon way to describe the gradual formation of affection or liking. Ludwig AI analysis confirms this, presenting a variety of examples across news media, academic writing, and general contexts. Its usage is considered neutral and suitable for both formal and informal communication. For alternative expressions, one might consider phrases like "grow to like" or "become attached to", depending on the specific nuance desired. A key point to remember is that "develop a fondness" implies a process over time, rather than an immediate feeling.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grow to like

Focuses on the gradual increase in liking something.

cultivate an affection for

Implies a deliberate effort in developing positive feelings.

acquire a taste for

Specifically relates to developing a liking for something, often food or drink.

become attached to

Suggests forming an emotional bond with someone or something.

take a liking to

Indicates an immediate positive feeling towards something or someone.

form an affinity for

Emphasizes a natural connection or similarity that leads to liking.

feel drawn to

Highlights an attraction or pull towards something.

warm to

Suggests a gradual increase in positive feelings, often after initial reservations.

develop an appreciation for

Focuses on recognizing the value or quality of something, leading to liking it.

embrace

Suggests accepting and adopting something with enthusiasm.

FAQs

How can I use "develop a fondness" in a sentence?

You can use "develop a fondness" to describe gradually liking something. For example: "Over time, she began to "develop a fondness" for classical music."

What can I say instead of "develop a fondness"?

You can use alternatives like "grow to like", "become attached to", or "acquire a taste for" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "developing a fondness"?

Yes, "developing a fondness" is grammatically correct and represents the ongoing process of growing to like something. For example, "He is "developing a fondness" for the quiet mornings."

What is the difference between "develop a fondness" and "have a fondness"?

"Develop a fondness" describes the process of gradually liking something, while "have a fondness" indicates an existing state of liking something. You "develop a fondness" over time, and then you "have a fondness".