develop a liking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "develop a liking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing the process of starting to enjoy or appreciate something over time. Example: "At first, I wasn't sure about the new restaurant, but after a few visits, I began to develop a liking for their unique dishes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Although protected by Australian law, wombats have been shot as pests because they can develop a liking for farm food.

The New York Times - Books

Players often develop a liking for a particular arena or find extra motivation to play a particular opponent, and Sprewell has an affinity for Milwaukee, Allan Houston said.

The New York Times - Sports

Harness the "mere exposure effect" to your advantage in the hope that your crush will develop a liking for the familiar.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"If you tend to offer healthy foods, even those with a somewhat bitter taste to infants, such as pureed vegetables, they will develop a liking for them.

The Washington Post

For students, this can mean having a teacher who cannot properly present or explain crucial concepts and cannot enrich the course in a way that motivates them to develop a liking (or a love) for math.

The New York Times

Retsina is made from pine resin and has a very distinct flavour; it needs to be drunk very chilled (some say to hide the taste); but most seemed to develop a liking for it by the third plastic cupful.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

During his navy service he had developed a liking for nearby Oxford.

The Guardian

He has, a little troublingly, developed a liking Zecharia Sitchin, one of those God-was-an-astronaut theorists popular in the 70s.

The Guardian - Music

Clearly, it developed a liking for psychedelic rock, and – as described late on in the book – accompanying doses of a certain "chemical which alter[s] reality".

The Guardian - Books

Educated at the Jesuit College of Grenoble, Vaucanson developed a liking for machinery at an early age, first in Lyon and later in Paris.

Encyclopedia Britannica

De Sitter studied mathematics at the State University of Groningen and then joined the astronomical laboratory there, where under J.C. Kapteyn's guidance he developed a liking for astronomy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "develop a liking" to describe a gradual process of becoming fond of something over time. It suggests a change in perception or appreciation rather than an immediate attraction.

Common error

Avoid using "develop a liking" when describing an immediate or sudden attraction. Opt for phrases like "take a shine to" or "be captivated by" instead, as "develop a liking" implies a gradual process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "develop a liking" functions as a verb phrase indicating the process of gradually starting to enjoy or appreciate something. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "develop a liking" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the process of gradually starting to enjoy or appreciate something. As Ludwig AI points out, it's suitable for various contexts, and its use is widespread across news media and general writing. While not overly formal, it effectively conveys a change in attitude or preference. Consider related phrases like "grow fond of" or "come to enjoy" for slight variations in meaning. Avoid using it to describe sudden attractions, and instead, opt for alternatives like "take a shine to".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

come to enjoy

A more general expression of starting to find pleasure in something.

grow fond of

Emphasizes affection and warmth, suggesting a deeper emotional connection.

warm to

Indicates a gradual increase in friendliness and affection.

become partial to

Implies a preference or bias that develops over time.

acquire a taste for

Specifically refers to developing an appreciation for something, often food or drink.

cultivate an appreciation for

Suggests a more deliberate and active effort to understand and value something.

take a shine to

Suggests an immediate and often inexplicable attraction.

get a kick out of

Implies amusement or excitement derived from something.

be captivated by

Describes a state of being highly impressed or charmed.

get hooked on

Implies becoming addicted to something, often with a strong sense of enjoyment.

FAQs

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

You can use "develop a liking" to describe the process of gradually starting to enjoy something. For example, "I didn't like coffee at first, but I eventually "developed a liking" for it."

What's a more formal alternative to "develop a liking"?

A more formal alternative to "develop a liking" is "cultivate an appreciation for". This suggests a more deliberate and active effort to understand and value something.

Is it correct to say "developing a liking"?

Yes, "developing a liking" is the present participle form and can be used in progressive tenses. For example, "I am "developing a liking" for the new coworker".

What's the difference between "develop a liking" and "have a liking"?

"Develop a liking" describes the process of starting to enjoy something, while "have a liking" describes the state of already enjoying something. You "develop a liking" over time, and then you "have a liking" for it.