growing affection

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "growing affection" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an increasing feeling of love or fondness towards someone or something over time. Example: "As they spent more time together, their growing affection for each other became evident."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

The growing affection between Anne and Ritwik is moving, surprising and entirely believable.

The Guardian - Books

His portrayal of a repressed aristocrat whose haughtiness hides his growing affection for Elizabeth Bennet earned Firth a devoted following.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But Diller and Scofidio were expressing a growing affection among younger architects for the architecture of the nineteen-sixties.

The New Yorker

Rosamond was discreet about her growing affection for Perry, but Carpenter must have known that he had lost the competition.

The New Yorker

For instance, Cohen tells me, US consumers' growing affection for bitterness has recently begun arcing towards the sour.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Every piece I have acquired has a tale to tell, and each acquisition has been the result of either a sudden passion or a slowly growing affection".

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

A long time ago my mom adopted an abandoned dog that I didn't feel attached to at first but later grew affection for.

Vice

No one other than Ms. Blume and Mr. Sugerman knew of their growing mutual affection, but it acknowledged the unspoken.

The New York Times

The point of the story is the growing, deepening affection between Francis and Julian, and this is managed competently.

The Guardian - Film

Eking out an existence in this eerie Armageddon are Joel and Ellie, a surrogate father and daughter whose growing familial affection forces them into an impossible, horrifying situation.

The Guardian - Tech

When something becomes familiar we tolerate it, and tolerance can grow into affection.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "growing affection" to describe a gradual increase in positive feelings or fondness over time, particularly in relationships or towards objects of interest. For instance, "Her growing affection for the city was evident in her volunteer work."

Common error

Avoid using "growing affection" to describe sudden, immediate feelings. The phrase implies a gradual development over time; for sudden feelings, consider "instant attraction" or "immediate liking".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "growing affection" functions as a noun phrase, where "growing" acts as a present participle modifying the noun "affection". Ludwig AI confirms that it expresses a state of increasing fondness or love.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "growing affection" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to describe an increasing feeling of fondness or love, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media, to depict developing relationships or attachments. While alternatives like "increasing fondness" or "developing love" can be used, "growing affection" clearly communicates a gradual and evolving emotional connection. When using the phrase, remember its implication of gradual development and avoid applying it to sudden feelings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increasing fondness

Replaces "affection" with "fondness", emphasizing a gentle and warm feeling.

developing love

Substitutes "affection" with "love", suggesting a deeper emotional connection.

budding attachment

Uses "attachment" instead of "affection" and "budding" to highlight the early stages of connection.

emerging fondness

Emphasizes the gradual appearance of fondness.

deepening appreciation

Focuses on an increase in positive regard or gratitude.

escalating warmth

Highlights the rising intensity of positive feelings.

strengthening bond

Emphasizes the development of a connection or relationship.

intensifying liking

Focuses on the increasing degree of positive sentiment.

nurturing affection

Highlights the active fostering of affection.

cultivating attachment

Implies a deliberate effort to foster attachment.

FAQs

How can I use "growing affection" in a sentence?

You can use "growing affection" to describe an increasing feeling of fondness or love towards someone or something over time. For example: "Their growing affection for each other was obvious to everyone around them."

What are some alternatives to "growing affection"?

You can use alternatives like "increasing fondness", "developing love", or "budding attachment" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "grown affection" instead of "growing affection"?

While "grown affection" might be understood, "growing affection" is more accurate to describe the process of affection increasing over time. "Grown affection" could imply a state of fully developed affection, but it is less common and might sound awkward.

What's the difference between "growing affection" and "instant attraction"?

"Growing affection" describes a feeling that develops gradually, while "instant attraction" refers to an immediate feeling of liking or attraction. The key difference is the time it takes for the feeling to develop.