developing affection for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "developing affection for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing the process of gradually feeling fondness or love for someone or something. Example: "Over time, she found herself developing affection for the stray cat that visited her porch every evening."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

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

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

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

WikiHow

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

"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

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

"It's so strange they developed this affection for him".

The New York Times

The camera's viewpoint shifts as she develops an affection for him.

The New York Times - Arts

But he developed an affection for his neighbors, many of whom were elderly Jews.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "developing affection for" when you want to emphasize a gradual and evolving emotional connection, rather than a sudden infatuation.

Common error

Avoid using "developing affection for" when describing immediate, intense attractions. "Infatuation" is more appropriate for sudden, fleeting feelings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "developing affection for" functions as a verb phrase describing the gradual progression of fondness or love towards someone or something. As Ludwig indicates, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "developing affection for" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to depict the gradual formation of an emotional connection. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is appropriate for various writing styles, leaning towards a neutral register suitable for news, media, and general contexts. While alternatives like "growing fond of" or "becoming attached to" exist, "developing affection for" distinctly emphasizes the evolving nature of the emotional bond, differentiating it from sudden infatuations or immediate attractions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

growing fond of

Focuses on the gradual increase of fondness; less intense than affection.

cultivating feelings for

Emphasizes the nurturing and development of feelings.

becoming attached to

Highlights the formation of an emotional bond.

taking a liking to

Suggests an initial positive inclination that evolves.

warming up to

Implies an initial reserve that gradually diminishes.

fostering a fondness for

Highlights the active encouragement of fondness.

nurturing an affinity for

Suggests a careful and gentle cultivation of an affinity.

acquiring a taste for

Indicates a gradual appreciation, often for something previously disliked.

building an attachment to

Emphasizes the construction of a deep emotional connection.

feeling drawn to

Suggests an instinctive attraction that intensifies over time.

FAQs

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

You can use "developing affection for" to describe a gradual emotional connection, such as "Over time, she found herself developing affection for the stray cat that visited her porch."

What are some alternatives to "developing affection for"?

Alternatives include "growing fond of", "becoming attached to", or "taking a liking to", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "develop affection to" instead of "developing affection for"?

No, the correct preposition is "for". "Developing affection to" is grammatically incorrect. Always use "developing affection for" to maintain proper English usage.

What's the difference between "developing affection for" and "falling in love with"?

"Developing affection for" implies a gradual increase in fondness, while "falling in love with" suggests a more sudden and intense emotional experience. The former is a softer, more subtle process, while the latter is often perceived as a more dramatic event.