grew fond of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grew fond of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that someone became more affectionate, more attached, or more fond of something over time. For example: "As the weeks went on, Sarah grew fond of her new puppy and they soon became best friends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

She grew fond of him.

The New York Times - Style

The couple's daughter grew fond of the hubbub.

The New York Times

She tolerated him, and then grew fond of him.

The New Yorker

But local residents quickly grew fond of the Ashokan.

The New York Times

He grew fond of a rugged outdoor life and became enthralled by the prospect of flying.

The New York Times

Ms Hollekim grew fond of throwing herself off mountains while on skis.

The Economist

After they got to talking, he said, he actually grew fond of his political adversary.

The New York Times

As the years passed, his wife and growing family grew fond of the area.

The New York Times - Sports

(Baltimoreans at the time grew fond of the emanating smell of cinnamon).

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

They have grown fond of it now.

The New Yorker

I'd grown fond of Kaylee.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grew fond of" to indicate a gradual increase in affection or liking over time. This phrase is appropriate for describing relationships, hobbies, or places.

Common error

While "grew fond of" is versatile, it may sound too informal for highly formal writing. Consider alternatives like "developed an appreciation for" or "cultivated a liking for" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grew fond of" functions as a verb phrase indicating a process of developing affection or liking for someone or something. It highlights the gradual increase in positive feelings over time, as Ludwig AI confirms.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grew fond of" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a gradual increase in affection or liking. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively communicates the development of positive feelings over time. While versatile, it's best to consider the formality of your writing context; "grew fond of" may be too informal in some scenarios. Alternatives such as "developed an appreciation for" or "cultivated a liking for" can be more suitable in formal settings. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media sources, indicating its wide acceptability and use in general communication. This makes "grew fond of" a reliable choice for expressing the development of positive feelings in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

developed an affection for

Focuses on the development of affection, highlighting an emotional connection.

became attached to

Emphasizes the emotional bond and connection formed with someone or something.

took a liking to

Indicates an initial positive impression that grows into fondness.

cultivated a fondness for

Highlights the active and gradual development of fondness.

warmed to

Implies an initial coolness that gradually transforms into affection.

came to cherish

Suggests a deeper level of appreciation and protectiveness.

found pleasure in

Highlights the enjoyment and satisfaction derived from something.

acquired a taste for

Suggests a gradual appreciation, often for something initially disliked or unfamiliar.

became enamored with

Indicates a strong feeling of love or fascination.

took a shine to

Informal way of saying someone started to like someone or something.

FAQs

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

You can use "grew fond of" to describe how someone's affection or liking for something increased over time. For example, "She "grew fond of" the quiet mornings after moving to the countryside."

What's a more formal alternative to "grew fond of"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "developed an appreciation for" or "cultivated a liking for" instead of "grew fond of".

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

No, "growed" is not the correct past tense of "grow". The correct past tense is "grew", so the correct phrase is ""grew fond of"".

What is the difference between "grew fond of" and "was fond of"?

"Grew fond of" implies a gradual increase in affection over time, while "was fond of" simply indicates that someone had affection for something at a particular time.