developed an affinity for

USAGE SUMMARY

"developed an affinity for" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to have a strong liking or connection to someone or something. Example: After spending a semester abroad, I developed an affinity for European culture and now dream of living in Italy one day.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

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

The New York Times

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

The New York Times

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

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

With help from her adoring parents, she quickly developed an affinity for all things fun.

The New York Times

Ms. DiPietro, 27, who is originally from Maplewood, N.J., "developed an affinity for it, too".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

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

The New York Times

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

The Guardian - Film

I hope I get on one of those runs where I am a guy who develops an affinity for the golf course.

The Guardian - Sport

"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

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "developed an affinity for" to subtly express a growing appreciation or liking, especially when describing a gradual process rather than an immediate attraction.

Common error

Avoid using "developed an affinity for" when a stronger term like "love" or "passion" would be more appropriate, as it can diminish the impact if the connection is truly profound.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "developed an affinity for" functions as a verb phrase expressing the gradual formation of a liking or preference. This phrase is commonly used to describe how someone's feelings towards a particular subject, activity, or object have evolved over time, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Encyclopedias

7%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "developed an affinity for" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that describes the gradual growth of liking or preference, as supported by Ludwig AI. It is frequently found in News & Media and encyclopedia sources. While versatile, it's essential to ensure the phrase accurately reflects the depth of the connection being described. Alternatives such as "acquired a taste for" or "grew to love" may be more appropriate in certain contexts to better convey the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

formed a liking for

A more straightforward way of expressing the development of a preference.

cultivated a fondness for

Replaces "affinity" with "fondness" and "developed" with "cultivated", suggesting a gradual growth of affection.

became partial to

Indicates a preference or bias towards something.

acquired a taste for

Implies that the liking grew over time through experience or exposure.

nurtured an appreciation for

Suggests a careful cultivation of understanding and enjoyment.

grew to love

Suggests a gradual increase in affection over a period.

established a connection with

Focuses on building a relationship with someone or something.

became enamored with

Indicates a feeling of being captivated or charmed by something.

took a shine to

An informal way of saying someone started to like something.

embraced a passion for

Implies a strong enthusiasm and dedication towards something.

FAQs

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

You can use "developed an affinity for" to describe a gradual liking or preference. For example, "After visiting Italy, she "developed an affinity for" Italian cuisine".

What can I say instead of "developed an affinity for"?

Alternatives include "acquired a taste for", "grew to love", or "formed a liking for", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

No, the correct preposition to use with "affinity" in this context is "for". Saying "developed an affinity to" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "developed an affinity for" and "developed a passion for"?

"Developed an affinity for" implies a gradual liking or preference, while "developed a passion for" suggests a stronger, more intense enthusiasm and dedication.