developing fondness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "developing fondness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the process of gradually becoming fond of someone or something over time. Example: "As they spent more time together, she found herself developing a fondness for his quirky sense of humor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

This time, after he and Ms. Fong had a weekend of dining, dancing and a visit to the Museum of Jurassic Technology, he was determined to express his developing fondness for her.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

I'm developing a fondness for L'Osservatore Romano on the back of this.

The Guardian - Opinion

You can't write about people this often without developing a fondness for them.

The New York Times - Books

Perhaps I will end up as a bird person after all; I am developing a fondness for those unexciting black ducks.

The Guardian

For 28 of her 30 years on the staff of Duke's University Environmental Services, Biddings has worked at the building, keeping it clean and developing a fondness for the people who pass through it.

Duke University

But London also developed a fondness for the harness.

The New Yorker

There, Hopper had also developed a fondness for guns.

The Guardian - Film

Especially as World Rugby, the sport's governing body, has developed a fondness for friendly fire.

Independent

To this end I've developed a fondness for carrying aluminium foil Ziplock pouches.

The Guardian - Travel

I met Anna, who had better coke than Phil and soon developed a fondness for me.

The New York Times - Magazine

Yet she developed a fondness for Mr. Skala's whimsical humor and his sincerity.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "developing fondness" to describe a gradual process of liking someone or something. This phrase is suitable for both personal narratives and formal analyses.

Common error

While "developing fondness" is acceptable, in highly formal or scientific writing, consider stronger or more precise terms like "cultivating appreciation" or "fostering attachment" to convey nuance and avoid sounding overly sentimental.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "developing fondness" primarily functions as a verb phrase acting as a process of gradually forming an affection or liking towards someone or something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "developing fondness" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the gradual process of liking or appreciating someone or something. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in various contexts. While generally neutral in register, it's important to consider the context and choose stronger or more precise terms for highly formal or scientific writing. Consider alternatives like "growing affection" or "cultivating a liking" for nuanced expression. Use it to describe the progression of positive feelings over time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

growing affection

Focuses on the increase of affection, suggesting a warmer emotional connection.

cultivating a liking

Emphasizes the active and intentional aspect of developing a positive feeling.

acquiring an appreciation

Highlights the gaining of understanding and value for something.

fostering attachment

Suggests nurturing a deeper emotional bond or connection.

nurturing affection

Implies carefully tending to and growing feelings of affection.

building rapport

Focuses on establishing a harmonious relationship and mutual understanding.

establishing affinity

Highlights the creation of a natural connection or kinship.

forming an attachment

Focuses on the creation of a bond, less about the positive feeling itself.

growing to love

Implies a more intense emotion developing over time.

taking a shine to

An informal way of saying someone is starting to like something or someone.

FAQs

What does "developing fondness" mean?

The phrase "developing fondness" refers to the gradual process of starting to like or appreciate someone or something. It suggests a growing affection over time.

What can I say instead of "developing fondness"?

You can use alternatives like "growing affection", "cultivating a liking", or "acquiring an appreciation" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "developed a fondness"?

Yes, "developed a fondness" is the past tense form of "developing fondness" and is grammatically correct. It indicates that the process of growing affection has been completed.

How to use "developing fondness" in a sentence?

You can use "developing fondness" to describe a gradual increase in affection. For example: "As she spent more time in the city, she found herself developing a fondness for its hidden corners and diverse communities."