found favor

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'found favor' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to mean that someone was accepted or approved by someone else. For example, "The candidate for the job found favor with the employer, and got the position."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Understandably, his works found favor outside Russia.

The New York Times - Arts

We have found favor and grace".

The New York Times

It also found favor with the public.

The New York Times - Magazine

His views have found favor in the White House.

The New Yorker

Still, this tax has found favor among business owners.

The New York Times

Mr. Irvine found favor with a glittering list of clients.

The New York Times - Arts

Gradually it found favor as a milk product that did not spoil in the heat.

The New York Times

But the issue found favor in Louisville, where Democrats control the Metro Council.

The Guardian - Business

"The game has found favor across age groups, and more significantly across genders.

The New York Times

But unlike their forebears, they quickly found favor with the public and the cognoscenti alike.

The New York Times

Those changes found favor with fans, but others have proved highly controversial.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "found favor" to indicate that something or someone was well-received or approved of. It implies a positive judgment or acceptance, often by an authority or a group of people.

Common error

Avoid using "found favor" when simply describing something that happened to be liked. The phrase suggests a deliberate act of acceptance or approval, not just a passive liking.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "found favor" primarily functions as a verb phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it indicates that something or someone was well-received or approved of. Examples from Ludwig show its use in diverse contexts, highlighting its versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "found favor" is a versatile expression used to indicate that something or someone has been approved or well-received. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for various contexts, although it carries a somewhat formal tone. As evidenced by the numerous examples found in Ludwig, it's a common phrase particularly in news and media, with a notable presence in science and business. When writing, using alternatives such as "gained acceptance" or "was well-received" can provide stylistic variation, depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was favored

A more passive construction, but directly synonymous in meaning, though less commonly used.

gained acceptance

Focuses on the act of being accepted, emphasizing the outcome rather than the process.

met with approval

Highlights the act of receiving approval, emphasizing the positive feedback received.

was well-received

Emphasizes the positive reception something received, focusing on the overall reaction.

became popular

Indicates a rise in popularity or widespread acceptance among a large group.

won support

Stresses the act of gaining backing or endorsement for a cause or idea.

gained traction

Implies that something is gaining momentum and becoming more widely recognized.

struck a chord

Suggests that something resonated deeply with people, evoking a strong emotional response.

proved successful

Highlights the success and positive results achieved.

was embraced

Emphasizes the act of being warmly welcomed or adopted.

FAQs

How can I use "found favor" in a sentence?

You can use "found favor" to indicate that something or someone was approved or well-received. For example, "The new policy "found favor" with the employees".

What's a good alternative to "found favor"?

Alternatives to "found favor" include "gained acceptance", "was well-received", or "met with approval", depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "found favor" or "was liked"?

"Found favor" is generally more formal than "was liked". "Was liked" is suitable for informal contexts, while "found favor" is more appropriate for professional or academic settings.

Can "found favor" be used in a negative context?

"Found favor" is typically used in a positive context to indicate approval or acceptance. It is rare to find it used to describe something negative.