develop a liking for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "develop a liking for" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to express that someone has grown to enjoy something that they previously had no or little interest in. For example: After watching some tutorials, I'm starting to develop a liking for painting.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 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

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

She copes with the less-than-welcome attentions of a spoiled and materialistic Buddhist monk, has a near romance with a charismatic expat and tries, without success, to develop a liking for emadatse, the "yak-cheesy, fiery-hot chili stew" that locals consume three times a day.

The New York Times - Books

Slowly but surely, two people are forced to acknowledge each other's strengths, rely on one another for help, and begrudgingly develop a liking for each other.

Huffington Post

Raymond lost weight in prison because he did not like the food but says he did develop a liking for Mountain Dew.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

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

The leader's closest associate, V. M. Molotov, admitted that at the beginning Stalin struggled with his cult, but later on he developed a liking for it: "He was very reserved in the first years, and then he put on airs".

The New York Times

It has not stopped him developing a liking for Lord's, however, where the wickets of Joe Denly and Adam Voges on an eventful opening day of Durham's latest visit took his tally to 28 wickets in five first-class appearances at headquarters, notably including his 5 for 38 against West Indies on his Test debut in 2009.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "develop a liking for" to describe a gradual and evolving positive sentiment towards something that was initially neutral or perhaps even disliked.

Common error

Avoid using "develop a liking for" when describing an instant positive reaction. Instead, use phrases like "love at first sight" or "immediately enjoyed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "develop a liking for" functions as a verb phrase expressing the gradual formation of a positive sentiment or preference towards someone or something. As evidenced by Ludwig, it describes an evolving process rather than an instantaneous feeling.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

40%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "develop a liking for" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to describe the gradual formation of a positive sentiment. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous real-world examples across various contexts, including News & Media and Wiki. While suitable for both formal and informal settings, it leans towards neutral. Related phrases include "acquire a taste for" and "grow fond of". When using this phrase, remember that it implies a process rather than an immediate attraction. Keep this in mind to avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

begin to enjoy

A straightforward way of expressing the start of liking something.

grow fond of

Indicates a gentle and gradual increase in affection or liking.

acquire a taste for

Implies a gradual acceptance and enjoyment of something new, especially food or drink.

find pleasure in

Highlights the enjoyment and satisfaction derived from something.

become partial to

Suggests a preference or inclination towards something.

cultivate an appreciation for

Suggests a more deliberate and nurtured growth of liking.

warm up to

Suggests an initial hesitation followed by gradual acceptance and liking.

gain an affinity for

Implies a natural connection or ease in liking something.

take a shine to

An informal way of saying someone quickly starts to like something.

get hooked on

Suggests a strong and potentially addictive liking.

FAQs

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

Use "develop a liking for" to describe a gradual increase in positive feelings towards something. For instance, "After trying different varieties, I "develop a liking for" spicy food."

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

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "cultivate an appreciation for" or "acquire a taste for" instead of ""develop a liking for"".

Is it correct to say "developed a liking to" instead of "developed a liking for"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "develop a liking" is "for". The phrase is ""develop a liking for"", not "develop a liking to".

What's the difference between "develop a liking for" and "start to like"?

"Develop a liking for" implies a process, while "start to like" suggests a more immediate shift in preference. The former is more gradual and less sudden.