develop an affinity

USAGE SUMMARY

"develop an affinity" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when talking about developing a friendship or bond with someone or something. For example, "The more time he spent with the puppy, the more he developed an affinity for it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

I develop an affinity toward these kinds of men.

The New York Times - Sports

'He began to develop an affinity for Indian gurus, and he deeded his ranch to God,' says Hassilev.

The Guardian - Film

Despite its resemblance to rap's youthful cadences, a mostly older generation is keeping balagtasan alive in New York these days, hoping that younger Filipinos will develop an affinity for it.

The New York Times

"She killed him with a club!" The kids are accustomed to this routine, which was common in the days before refrigeration, until one year they develop an affinity for an "unusually playful and intelligent" carp destined for the Passover table.

The New Yorker

"Nationalism might creep into some people's personal mental calculus, but while we love and support our own athletes, we develop an affinity for athletes from any country," Mr. Davis said.

The New York Times

This analog presents the same leishmanicidal effect as the parent drug against Leishmania donovani promastigotes and Leishmania pifanoi axenic amastigotes, and has been used to develop an affinity chromatography method to attempt the isolation of putative Leishmania proteins that bind to the phosphocholine part of the molecule.

Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Before coming to Princeton, I ensconced myself in Cambridge, where I developed an affinity for calculators, then spent two years working as a software developer for a large Midwest industrial supplier.

Princeton University

In the process, I developed an affinity for the farm.

The New York Times

Taylor developed an affinity for the sea early on.

The Guardian - Arts

Other builders have developed an affinity for Hollywood.

The New York Times

He also developed an affinity for movies and photography.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "develop an affinity", consider the context. It implies a gradual growth of liking or connection, so ensure the situation allows for this development over time. For instance, it is apt to say someone "developed an affinity for classical music" after repeated exposure, but less so to say they "developed an affinity for a spider" at first sight (unless the context is unusual).

Common error

Avoid using "develop an affinity" when a stronger term like "love" or "passion" is more appropriate. "Affinity" suggests a pleasant liking or connection, not necessarily intense emotion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "develop an affinity" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the process of acquiring a liking or preference for something. It describes the action of forming a connection or bond with a particular subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and conveys the sense of growing closer to something.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

29%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "develop an affinity" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe the gradual formation of a liking or connection with something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and appropriateness in various contexts. Predominantly found in news media, science, and academic sources, it maintains a neutral tone suitable for diverse writing scenarios. When employing this phrase, be mindful of its implication of gradual development and ensure it aligns with the intended meaning, avoiding stronger terms like "love" when a simple liking is meant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become partial to

Indicates a developing favoritism or preference for something over others.

cultivate a fondness

Focuses on actively nurturing a feeling of affection, implying a more intentional effort than simply developing an affinity.

gain an appreciation for

Stresses the act of coming to understand and value something, implying a cognitive element.

grow to appreciate

Emphasizes the gradual increase in understanding and valuing something over time.

foster a liking

Highlights the act of encouraging and promoting a positive sentiment or preference for something.

acquire a taste for

Specifically refers to developing a preference for something, often something that was initially disliked or neutral.

establish a penchant for

Suggests developing a strong liking or habitual tendency for something.

form a connection with

Indicates the establishment of a bond or relationship, suggesting a deeper level of engagement than simply an affinity.

nurture an inclination towards

Focuses on deliberately fostering a predisposition or tendency toward something.

build a rapport

Highlights establishing a harmonious relationship, often used in interpersonal contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "develop an affinity" in a sentence?

You can use "develop an affinity" to describe the process of growing to like something. For example, "After taking the class, I "developed an affinity" for history".

What can I say instead of "develop an affinity"?

You can use alternatives like "cultivate a fondness", "grow to appreciate", or "acquire a taste for" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "develop an affinity to" instead of "develop an affinity for"?

While "affinity to" can be used in different contexts, "develop an affinity for" is the more common and idiomatic choice when expressing a growing liking or connection with something.

What is the difference between "develop an affinity" and "develop an attachment"?

"Develop an affinity" suggests a pleasant liking or connection, while "develop an attachment" implies a stronger emotional bond that may be harder to break. An attachment often involves a need for the subject of the attachment.