develop affection for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'develop affection for' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe feeling an increasing fondness or love for someone or something. For example: I developed a deep affection for my grandmother as I grew older.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

When someone affects you strongly, you may develop affection for them.

WikiHow

"In real life, we turn a blind eye to a friend's moral flaws because we feel we have a connection to them, and we can develop affection for television characters in the same way when we see them week after week.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Very gently the film shows Barbara's developing affection for this man.

The Economist

That is why the restaurant is packed seven days a week with people who, perhaps out of necessity, have developed affection for the beer hall setting.

The New York Times - Arts

That is why the restaurant is packed daily with people who, perhaps out of necessity, have developed affection for the beer hall setting.

The New York Times - Arts

But even people who may have shared his objections to the theater complex's brutalist gray concrete exterior now consider it indispensable to London's landscape and have developed affection for it.

The New York Times - Arts

The con artists gain the upper hand in the end and ruin the agent's career, a resolution which is unsatisfying unless the audience has developed affection for the crooks.

Huffington Post

Disruptive Namond is removed from class and placed in the research group, where he gradually develops affection and respect for Colvin.

Wikipedia

So some big retailers are letting it be known that while they love newspapers, they could develop an affection for direct mail or smaller daily or weekly papers.

The New York Times

It's rare, in my experience, to develop strong affection for a horse without having had any kind of bet on him, let alone a winning one.

The Guardian - Sport

It takes just a few days in Dhaka to acclimate, and to develop an affection for the city's impregnable streets.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "develop affection for" to describe a gradual process of increasing fondness or love, often as a result of repeated exposure or positive interactions.

Common error

Avoid mistaking "affection" for "effect". "Affection" is a noun referring to a feeling of love or fondness, while "effect" is typically a noun referring to a result or a verb meaning to bring about a result. For example: Correct: I "develop affection for" my pets. Incorrect: The movie had a strong affect on me.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "develop affection for" functions as a verb phrase indicating the gradual growth of positive feelings or fondness towards someone or something. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Science

7%

Academia

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "develop affection for" is a versatile phrase used to describe the gradual growth of fondness or love. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. It functions as a verb phrase indicating a progressive emotional attachment, fitting comfortably in both formal and informal contexts. While alternatives like "grow to love" or "become attached to" exist, "develop affection for" specifically highlights the evolving nature of the emotional connection. Remember to distinguish it from words like "effect" to avoid common errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feel affection for

States the presence of affection, without specifying its development over time.

grow to love

Uses "grow to love" as a more direct and emotional substitute for developing affection.

become attached to

Focuses on the emotional bond of attachment rather than the development of affection.

form an attachment to

Highlights the formation of a connection, similar to becoming attached.

cultivate fondness for

Replaces "develop affection" with "cultivate fondness", suggesting a more deliberate effort to grow affection.

acquire a liking for

Emphasizes the acquisition of a preference or liking, which is a less intense form of affection.

warm up to

Suggests a gradual increase in positive feelings, often used when initially hesitant.

build a rapport with

Emphasizes establishing a connection, often implying mutual understanding and positive feelings.

get close to

Implies developing a personal bond, which can include affection.

fall for

A more informal and intense way of expressing the development of strong affection or love.

FAQs

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

You can use "develop affection for" to describe the gradual growth of fondness or love towards someone or something. For example, "Over time, I "developed a deep affection for" the city."

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

A more formal way to express the same idea is to use phrases like "cultivate a fondness for" or "foster an attachment to", which suggest a more deliberate and gradual growth of positive feelings.

What's the difference between "develop affection for" and "fall in love with"?

"Develop affection for" implies a gradual increase in fondness and warmth, whereas "fall in love with" suggests a more sudden and intense emotional experience. Affection can be a component of love, but it's often less passionate.

What are some situations where "develop affection for" might be used?

"Develop affection for" is commonly used when describing relationships with people, pets, places, or hobbies where positive feelings grow over time. For instance, you might say, "I "developed an affection for my new colleagues" after working closely with them for several months."