develop a friendship

USAGE SUMMARY

"develop a friendship" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the process of becoming friends with someone. For example: "I first met him at a party, and now we are working to develop a friendship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

This brought us together a bit and we began to develop a friendship".

The Guardian

They develop a friendship, and eventually, Patty takes a job as a waitress in desperation.

The New Yorker

And, from time to time, you may develop a friendship with someone in your organization.

Harvard Business Review

I had a college classmate who was going to clerk for Chief Justice Warren E Burger, and I made an effort to develop a friendship with that classmate.

The Guardian

They will play a dance instructor and a retiree -- you can guess who plays whom -- who develop a friendship over the tango, the waltz, etc.

The New York Times

"In order to do that, I need to sit with them, live with them, even develop a friendship with the work they have put out there.

Stanford University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

The two strong women developed a friendship.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, we developed a friendship charged with lust.

The New York Times

Snowden asked her to contact Greenwald, with whom she had earlier developed a friendship.

The New Yorker

He and Putin developed a friendship, with Schröder calling Putin a "flawless democrat".

The New Yorker

Low and Goring quickly developed a friendship that has lasted to this day.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to "develop a friendship", actively participate in shared activities and demonstrate genuine interest in the other person's life.

Common error

Avoid trying to force a friendship. Focus on mutual interests and organic interactions to allow a natural connection to grow when you "develop a friendship".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "develop a friendship" functions as a verb phrase, describing the action of forming and nurturing a friendly relationship. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and can be used to describe the process of becoming friends.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

24%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "develop a friendship" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes the process of forming a friendly relationship. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not overly common, the phrase appears in various contexts, including news, academia, and general writing. It’s a versatile expression suitable for both formal and informal settings. Related phrases include "cultivate a friendship" and "foster a friendship", which emphasize the nurturing aspect of building a friendship. When using this phrase, focus on genuine interactions and shared activities rather than forcing a connection.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cultivate a friendship

Replaces "develop" with "cultivate", emphasizing the effort and care involved in fostering a friendship. More emphatic.

foster a friendship

Similar to "cultivate a friendship", this option highlights nurturing and encouraging the growth of a friendship. Emphasizes nurturing.

forge a friendship

Emphasizes the effort and determination involved in creating a strong friendship. Highlights a strong and resilient bond.

nurture a friendship

Emphasizes the care and attention required to maintain and strengthen a friendship. Highlights the act of actively taking care.

form a bond

Shifts the focus to creating a connection, which may or may not be explicitly a friendship. It is more general.

strike up a friendship

Emphasizes the spontaneous beginning of a friendship. Highlights the initiation of the friendship.

build a relationship

Broadens the scope to any kind of relationship, not specifically a friendship. It is not limited to friendly relationships.

cement a friendship

Highlights the effort required to establish a stable and permanent friendship that endures through time.

establish rapport

Emphasizes creating a harmonious understanding and connection with someone. Formal and focuses on mutual connection.

grow closer

Suggests a gradual deepening of an existing relationship, rather than starting a new one. Assumes initial contact.

FAQs

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

You can use "develop a friendship" to describe the process of forming a friendly relationship with someone, as in "I hope to develop a friendship with my new neighbor".

What's a more formal way to say "develop a friendship"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "cultivate a friendship" or "foster a friendship", which emphasize the nurturing aspect of building a friendly relationship.

Is it appropriate to use "develop a friendship" in a professional setting?

Yes, it is appropriate. While "develop a relationship" might be broader, "develop a friendship" can be used to describe building rapport with colleagues or clients, as long as it remains professional.

What is the difference between "develop a friendship" and "make friends"?

"Make friends" generally refers to the initial act of becoming acquainted, while "develop a friendship" implies a more gradual process of deepening the connection over time.