especially fond of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "especially fond of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a particular liking or preference for something or someone. Example: "She is especially fond of classical music, often attending concerts and recitals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Scharf was especially fond of keeping collections.

Independent

Dom was not especially fond of Jerome.

The New Yorker

He's especially fond of the manager, Beatriz.

The New York Times - Magazine

(Oswald is especially fond of the minor characters).

The New Yorker

"Men are especially fond of the jalapeño version," he said.

The New York Times

Mongols were especially fond of fermented mare's milk, called kumis.

The New Yorker

Investment banks were especially fond of this approach.

The New Yorker

The capital seems especially fond of this energy source.

Independent

They are especially fond of centipedes and grubs.

The New Yorker

Mr. Baron is especially fond of Victor Borge's signature.

The New York Times

(Holbrooke is especially fond of "There's Something About Mary").

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's preferences, use "especially fond of" to highlight a particular liking among other interests or preferences. For instance, "While he enjoys all genres of music, he is "especially fond of" classical compositions."

Common error

Avoid overusing "especially fond of" for trivial preferences. Reserve it for situations where the fondness is noteworthy or significant to the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "especially fond of" functions as a subject complement, describing a subject's characteristic or preference. It typically follows a linking verb (e.g., 'is', 'seems', 'became') and provides information about the subject's feelings or inclinations. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "especially fond of" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to express a strong liking or preference. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is valid in written English. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, with a strong presence in news and media. The phrase functions as a subject complement, effectively highlighting particular affections. Related phrases offer nuanced alternatives, and understanding common errors helps refine usage. By adhering to best practices, writers can effectively use "especially fond of" to convey specific and noteworthy preferences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

particularly keen on

Emphasizes enthusiasm or eagerness in addition to liking.

particularly attached to

Indicates an emotional connection or sentimentality.

extremely partial to

Highlights a strong bias or preference.

terribly keen on

It emphasizes the enthusiasm using different intensifier.

greatly enjoys

Uses a verb to express the act of enjoying something to a great extent.

has a strong liking for

Emphasizes the 'liking' aspect more directly.

is very partial to

Expresses a bias toward something, but with 'very' instead of 'especially'.

has a soft spot for

Suggests a gentle affection or fondness.

is quite partial to

Expresses a certain degree of favoritism.

harbors a fondness for

Suggests a deep-seated or long-held affection.

FAQs

How can I use "especially fond of" in a sentence?

Use "especially fond of" to indicate a strong preference or liking for something. For example: "She is "especially fond of" "classical music"." It emphasizes a particular affection among other general interests.

What are some alternatives to "especially fond of"?

You can use alternatives like "particularly keen on", "greatly enjoys", or "has a "soft spot for"" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "especially fond of" or "very fond of"?

"Especially fond of" and "very fond of" are generally interchangeable in terms of formality. The choice depends more on the desired emphasis, with "especially" highlighting a stronger degree of preference.

How does "especially fond of" compare to "slightly fond of"?

"Especially fond of" indicates a strong positive preference, while "slightly fond of" suggests a mild or minimal liking. The word "especially" emphasizes a significant degree of affection, while "slightly" suggests the opposite.