fond of

USAGE SUMMARY

"fond of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when talking about someone having a strong liking towards something. For example, "My grandmother is fond of gardening."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Fond of housework.

The New Yorker

I'm fond of him.

The New York Times - Sports

I'm fond of them.

The New Yorker

He's fond of basically.

The New Yorker

I'm fond of triangles.

The New York Times

"I'm fond of home".

The New York Times - Books

We're very fond of Howard".

The New York Times

He's fond of historical allusion.

The New Yorker

I'm not fond of heights.

The New York Times - Magazine

Paraguayans are fond of sports.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"I'm not fond of wildlife.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "fond of" with activities or objects that bring comfort or enjoyment, such as "fond of reading", "fond of nature walks", or "fond of old movies".

Common error

While versatile, avoid overuse of "fond of" in highly formal or academic writing where more precise or sophisticated language may be preferable. Consider alternatives like "appreciative of" or "inclined towards" for a more elevated tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "fond of" is to act as a predicate adjective describing the subject's feeling of affection or liking towards something. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples where "fond of" follows a linking verb such as "is", "are", or "was" and modifies the subject. Ludwig AI also confirms that the phrase "fond of" is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fond of" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to express a mild liking or affection. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions as a predicate adjective, typically appearing in neutral contexts like News & Media. While versatile, avoid overuse in highly formal writing, opting for more precise alternatives. This phrase is best suited for expressing gentle sentiments towards activities, objects, or people that bring comfort or enjoyment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have a liking for

A more direct and literal way of expressing that one is fond of something.

keen on

Indicates enthusiasm or strong interest, slightly more emphatic than "fond of".

have affection for

Indicates a feeling of warmth and love towards someone or something.

partial to

Suggests a specific liking, often for something that is enjoyable or indulgent. Implies a preference.

taken with

Indicates being attracted to or impressed by someone or something.

attached to

Implies an emotional connection or sentimentality.

a fan of

Suggests admiration and support for something, commonly used for people or activities.

enamored with

Signifies being captivated or charmed by something; a stronger, more romantic feeling.

appreciative of

Highlights a recognition and enjoyment of the positive qualities of something.

enjoy

A more general and less intense way of saying "fond of".

FAQs

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

You can use "fond of" to express a gentle liking or affection for something. For example, "She is fond of classical music" or "They are fond of visiting the countryside".

What can I say instead of "fond of"?

You can use alternatives like "keen on", "partial to", or "have a liking for" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "fond to" instead of "fond of"?

No, the correct phrase is "fond of". "Fond to" is grammatically incorrect and not used in standard English.

What's the difference between "fond of" and "in love with"?

"Fond of" indicates a gentle liking or affection, while "in love with" signifies a much stronger, more passionate emotion. "Fond of" is less intense and more casual.