forge a friendship

USAGE SUMMARY

"forge a friendship" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to build or create a strong and lasting friendship with someone. Example: "Despite their initial differences, Sarah and Emily were able to forge a friendship through their shared love for hiking and cooking."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

So, although it took me almost until I was an adult to really appreciate him, we did forge a friendship.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

One year ago, two young princes began to forge a friendship at a lunch meeting in the White House's regal State Dining Room.

The Washington Post

And FNL also saw Kitsch forge a friendship with the show's director, Peter Berg, who hand-picked him for the lead role of Alex Hopper in Battleship.

The Guardian - Film

Like many wealthy, virile boys in Seattle, John William tests himself by climbing in the Cascades, where he and Countryman forge a friendship through wilderness-survival adventures.

The New York Times - Books

The simple charms of "Poems," in which Manjiro and Kayama forge a friendship by exchanging verse on a journey, have never been more evident.

The New York Times

Mr. Trump has mostly spoken hopefully of his efforts to forge a friendship with President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, including congratulating him on a re-election widely denounced as a sham and even suggesting a White House meeting.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

McIlroy and Woods have forged a friendship, but McIlroy insisted he was not influenced by Woods.

The New York Times - Sports

In November 1945 he flew to Moscow and forged a friendship with the great violinist David Oistrakh.

The Guardian - Music

By the time the Lakers-Celtics rivalry had receded into memory, Johnson and Bird had forged a friendship.

The New York Times - Sports

Among the colleagues with whom Tubbs Jones forged a friendship in those days was Hillary Clinton.

The New York Times - Magazine

Monsignor Amerigo Ciani made the unusual request to the Pope, after he forged a friendship with Herteleer.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "forge a friendship" to emphasize the active effort involved in creating a new or strengthened bond between people. It suggests overcoming obstacles or differences to build a lasting connection.

Common error

While "forge a friendship" is acceptable in many situations, avoid using it excessively in casual conversation. Simpler terms like "become friends" or "connect with" may be more appropriate for informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "forge a friendship" functions as a verbal phrase, typically used as a verb complement or within a clause. It indicates the action of creating or establishing a bond of friendship, as confirmed by Ludwig and its example sentences.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "forge a friendship" is a valid and commonly used phrase that describes creating or developing a friendship, often with an emphasis on effort or overcoming challenges. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it's best to consider the specific context and audience when choosing between "forge a friendship" and its alternatives. Furthermore, as Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is well-established and consistently used in reliable English sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

build a bond

Focuses on creating a strong connection, which can be more general than friendship.

cultivate a friendship

Implies a more deliberate and nurturing approach to developing the friendship.

develop a rapport

Emphasizes establishing a harmonious and understanding relationship.

establish camaraderie

Highlights a sense of fellowship and mutual trust, often in a group setting.

form a connection

A more general term indicating the start of any relationship, not necessarily friendship.

strike up a friendship

Suggests a more spontaneous or accidental beginning to the friendship.

create a bond

Focuses on the act of building a connection, highlighting effort and intention.

cement a friendship

Implies strengthening an existing friendship to make it more durable.

nurture a friendship

Stresses the importance of caring for and supporting the friendship's growth.

foster a relationship

A broader term that includes creating bonds of any kind, not strictly limited to friendship.

FAQs

What does "forge a friendship" mean?

The phrase "forge a friendship" means to create or build a strong and lasting friendship, often implying effort or overcoming obstacles.

How can I use "forge a friendship" in a sentence?

You can use "forge a friendship" to describe how people from different backgrounds or with different views might come together to form a strong connection. For example, "Despite their initial disagreements, the two leaders were able to "forge a friendship"."

What are some alternatives to "forge a friendship"?

Alternatives include "build a bond", "cultivate a friendship", or "develop a rapport". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "forge a friendship" or "build a friendship"?

Both "forge a friendship" and "build a friendship" are correct, but "forge" suggests a more active and transformative process, while "build" implies a gradual construction. The choice depends on the specific context.