develop an affinity for

USAGE SUMMARY

'develop an affinity for' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express the idea of developing a strong connection or liking for something, usually after gaining more knowledge or experience with it. For example: "After taking a few classes on Spanish culture, she developed an affinity for the language."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

'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

A military video game could make you feel familiar with and then develop an affinity for the army".

BBC

"The Walmart Foundation's Bright Spot for Reading Initiative is essential in preparing youth for academic and life success," continued Shelby Kriz, Director of Education, "We are grateful to The Walmart Foundation for the opportunity to create an environment that will encourage and allow our youth to enjoy and develop an affinity for reading".

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

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

The New York Times

He quickly developed an affinity for his new job as a bond broker at Cantor Fitzgerald.

The New York Times

Since moving to the United States, Mr. Haqqani has developed an affinity for American culture.

The New York Times

Thanks to traffic reports, I have developed an affinity for a whole new subset of New York landmarks.

The New York Times

Anyone who develops an affinity for No Boundaries cosmetics must to go to Wal-Mart to get them.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "develop an affinity for" when you want to express the gradual process of growing to like or appreciate something, often through exposure or experience. For example, "Students often develop an affinity for subjects they initially found challenging after mastering the basics."

Common error

Avoid using "develop an affinity for" when you actually mean to convey a need or dependency. Affinity implies a liking or preference, not a requirement. For instance, don't say "The plant developed an affinity for sunlight" when you should say "The plant needs sunlight to survive."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "develop an affinity for" functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of a liking or preference. Ludwig examples show its use across various contexts to describe gaining a fondness for something.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "develop an affinity for" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that describes the process of growing to like or appreciate something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and wide application. It's suitable for various contexts, from news articles to personal narratives, and expresses a nuanced liking that develops over time. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure that it accurately reflects a growing fondness rather than a mere need or dependency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

develop a liking for

A straightforward synonym, focusing on the emergence of a positive feeling.

cultivate a fondness for

Focuses on actively nurturing a feeling of affection, implying a deliberate effort to like something.

grow to appreciate

Emphasizes the gradual increase in understanding and value of something over time.

acquire a taste for

Suggests developing a liking for something that might not have been initially appealing.

become partial to

Indicates a preference or bias towards something, suggesting a leaning in its favor.

warm to

Suggests a gradual increase in liking, often after initial hesitation or indifference.

form an attachment to

Emphasizes the emotional connection that is formed, often over a period of time.

feel drawn to

Suggests an instinctive attraction, as if compelled by an unseen force.

take a shine to

An informal expression suggesting an immediate and strong liking.

build a rapport with

Implies a deeper connection based on mutual understanding and empathy, often used in the context of people.

FAQs

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

You can use "develop an affinity for" to describe how someone starts to like something over time. For example: "After visiting Italy, she "developed an affinity for" Italian cuisine."

What's a good alternative to "develop an affinity for"?

Alternatives include "cultivate a fondness for", "grow to appreciate", or "acquire a taste for", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "develop an affinity to"?

No, the correct preposition is "for". You should always say "develop an affinity for" something, not "to" it.

What's the difference between "develop an affinity for" and "develop an affection for"?

"Develop an affinity for" often implies a more intellectual or reasoned liking, while "develop an affection for" suggests a more emotional bond. Both phrases describe growing fondness, but their contexts can differ slightly.