found favor with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "found favor with" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when describing someone gaining approval or support from another person or group. Example: "The artist found favor with the critics after her latest exhibition." Alternative expressions include "received approval from," "gained support from," and "won the favor of."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It also found favor with the public.

The New York Times - Magazine

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

The New York Times - Arts

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

Extract of Jamaica ginger, a patent medicine with a high alcohol content, found favor with a certain class of drinker.

The New York Times - Food

The titles alone would have found favor with Roger Corman: "Deathcheaters," "Pacific Banana," and "The Day After Halloween".

The New Yorker

This dance step, curiously, found favor with the conservative columnist William Safire, because it required a partner, and thus responsibility.

The New Yorker

Owens jackets, with their shrunken sleeves, ribbed inserts, high shoulders and tight silhouette, have found favor with all generations.

The New York Times

But there is another, more subtle style — that of controlled transparency, which has found favor with a number of designers.

The New York Times

His views found favor with Vice President Dick Cheney and his legal adviser, David S. Addington, who shared his views of presidential power.

The New York Times

A telling sign of the bullishness of buyers was the wide span of genres that found favor with the guests at the private viewing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be mindful of the spelling variation: use 'favor' in American English and 'favour' in British English.

Common error

Avoid using "found favor with" if you mean that someone is intentionally trying to flatter another person to get something; in that specific case, "curried favor with" is the correct idiomatic choice. The main query usually implies a natural or earned approval rather than a manipulative one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "found favor with" functions as a transitive verb phrase used to denote the attainment of approval, acceptance or support from a target audience. In the many examples provided by Ludwig, it often connects a subject (like a policy, a person or a creative work) to a group of observers or evaluators.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "found favor with" is a versatile and elegant idiomatic expression that signifies the successful acquisition of approval. According to Ludwig AI and the extensive data from high-authority sources, this phrase is a staple in quality journalism and academic writing. It effectively bridges the gap between simple liking and formal endorsement. Writers should choose this phrase when they want to emphasize the acceptance of an idea or entity by a specific group, ensuring they use the correct regional spelling of "favor" or "favour". It remains one of the most reliable ways to describe positive reception in a professional and polished manner.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gained approval from

more literal and direct than the idiomatic QUERY

was well received by

shifts the focus to the general reaction of an audience

met with approval from

slightly more formal and often used for official proposals

won the support of

implies a more active process of gaining backing

resonated with

emphasizes emotional or intellectual connection rather than just approval

appealed to

focuses on the attractiveness or interest of the subject

found acceptance among

suggests being integrated into a group or social circle

struck a chord with

more metaphorical, focusing on a strong positive reaction

was endorsed by

implies a formal or public statement of support

curried favor with

often carries a negative connotation of sycophancy or ingratiation

FAQs

How do I use "found favor with" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe an idea or person gaining approval, such as "The new policy "found favor with" the local community" or "The artist's style eventually "found favor with" critics".

What can I say instead of "found favor with"?

Depending on your context, you could use alternatives like "was well received by", "won the approval of" or "appealed to".

Is "found favor with" formal enough for academic writing?

Yes, it is widely used in academic and legal contexts. For instance, Cornell University uses it to describe how specific legal doctrines "found favor with" dissenters in court cases.

What is the difference between "found favor with" and "appealed to"?

While "appealed to" focuses on the attraction or interest something generates, "found favor with" specifically denotes the successful attainment of approval or support.