gesture of affection

USAGE SUMMARY

"gesture of affection" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe any kind of action that conveys feelings of love or fondness. For example, "He gave her a gentle hug, a gesture of affection."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

They consider it a gesture of affection.

The New Yorker

No one was sure if it was a gesture of affection & sympathy for Robt.

The New Yorker

Trump's hollow post-mortem gesture of affection notwithstanding, Ali was hardly greeted by overwhelming praise.

The New Yorker

JESSICA: I received your kiss-blowing face and appreciate it as a gesture of affection and friendship.

The New Yorker

I could see making shrimp scampi this evening, as a gesture of affection for those I feed.

The New York Times - Food

He could describe a twitching face, a wrinkled elderly hand, a fond gesture of affection, with shocking ease.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Time and again Ms. Chaturvedi directed mildly coquettish gestures of affection to the space above the audience's head, hiding her face behind her hands and peeking out.

The New York Times - Arts

All those players making exaggerated gestures of affection toward one another before the game, who don't actually know one another, or even want to.

The New York Times - Magazine

Examples from the series "Black Men and Masculinity" are included here; they examine how same-sex gestures of affection have different meanings in different cultures.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Gore tried not to let his own circumstances dampen the occasion, cheerfully instructing the lawmakers to pose with their left hands on the Bible, signing autographs and making small gestures of affection to old friends.

The New York Times

The poems in "Near Changes" and "Firefall" frequently become public gestures of affection, often to other poets, and many of them take as their subjects poetry or being a poet (one poem is about winning the Pulitzer Prize).

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gesture of affection" to describe a specific action that clearly communicates positive feelings, such as a hug, a gift, or a kind word.

Common error

Be sure the context makes clear that the "gesture of affection" is genuinely meant to convey positive feelings and isn't misinterpreted as something else, like obligation or manipulation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gesture of affection" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a specific action intended to communicate feelings of love, fondness, or care. Ludwig confirms its validity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

3%

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gesture of affection" is a commonly used noun phrase that describes an action meant to express love or fondness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted in English. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts, with reliable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian using it to describe various social interactions. While versatile, it's important to ensure the context clarifies the intended positive emotions to avoid misinterpretation. Alternative phrases, like "show of affection" and "sign of endearment", can be used for similar effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

show of affection

A more general term for demonstrating positive feelings.

loving gesture

A more concise version emphasizing the loving nature.

expression of fondness

Highlights the open display of liking someone.

display of tenderness

Emphasizes the gentle and caring nature of the act.

sign of endearment

Highlights the loving quality of the action, indicating fondness.

warm expression

Focuses on the emotional warmth conveyed by the action.

token of love

Emphasizes the romantic aspect of the action, suggesting deep feelings.

caring action

Highlights the thoughtfulness behind the deed.

act of kindness

Focuses on the benevolent nature of the action, implying goodwill.

sweet sentiment

Highlights the pleasant and heartfelt aspect of the action.

FAQs

How can I use "gesture of affection" in a sentence?

You can use "gesture of affection" to describe an action that shows love or care, such as "The hug was a simple "gesture of affection".".

What is a common synonym for "gesture of affection"?

A common synonym is "show of affection", which also describes an act that expresses positive feelings.

Is "gesture of affection" formal or informal?

The phrase "gesture of affection" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, making it versatile for various writing styles.

What's the difference between ""gesture of affection"" and "act of kindness"?

"Gesture of affection" specifically implies an action showing love or fondness, whereas "act of kindness" refers to a more general benevolent action, not necessarily implying affection.