have affection for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'have affection for' is both correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that someone has strong feelings of fondness and attachment for another person or thing. Example: My mother always had a deep affection for her grandchildren.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Those same diners have affection for Pastis.

The New York Times - Food

I hardly ever see them but I still have affection for him, absolutely.

Independent

"I know her and like her; I have affection for her.

The Guardian - Film

"We have affection for everything in here and feel sad whenever they sell out".

The New York Times

"People have affection for the old saints, the ones who made miracles," he said.

The New York Times

Smart argues that you don't need to have affection for a captor in order to be compliant — fear is enough.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

"I have affections for the Iron Man," declared Mr Wen during his stay.

The Economist

Felicella has affection for the seventies branches.

The New Yorker

Woody Allen obviously has affection for a Borscht Belt one-liner and a clownish spill.

The New York Times - Arts

Still, even the most snobbish of Victoria's retinue had affection for her.

The New Yorker

"He had never disclosed to me that he had affection for me," Ms. Constand replied levelly.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have affection for" to express a genuine and heartfelt fondness for someone or something. It conveys a deeper connection than simply liking something.

Common error

While "have affection for" is generally acceptable, be mindful of the context. In highly formal or business settings, consider using more neutral language like "respect" or "value" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have affection for" functions as a verb phrase, expressing a feeling of fondness or liking towards a person, object, or idea. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its usage in various contexts, confirming its validity in expressing emotional connection.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

11%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

15%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have affection for" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase used to convey a feeling of fondness or liking. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in English, signaling a deeper emotional connection than simple liking. The phrase appears most commonly in News & Media sources, with some occurrences in Academic and Wiki contexts. When using "have affection for", consider the context and audience, and opt for more formal language when necessary. Exploring related phrases like "be fond of" or "feel fondness toward" can enrich your writing and allow for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be fond of

A more straightforward and common way to express liking, lacking the depth of "have affection for".

feel fondness toward

Implies a gentle and tender feeling of liking, which is slightly more delicate than "have affection for".

harbor warmth toward

Suggests a deep, internal feeling of fondness, indicating a sustained positive emotion.

have a soft spot for

Suggests a particular and perhaps unexpected liking, often despite minor flaws.

cherish a liking for

Emphasizes the value and care one places on their positive feelings, making it more sentimental.

hold dear

Conveys a sense of treasuring someone or something, implying a deep emotional connection.

be partial to

Indicates a preference or inclination, which is less intense than having affection.

think highly of

Expresses respect and admiration, which can be a component of affection but is not solely emotional.

feel drawn to

Implies an attraction or pull towards someone or something, which can lead to affection.

enjoy the company of

Highlights the pleasure derived from being with someone, focusing on the social aspect.

FAQs

How can I use "have affection for" in a sentence?

You can use "have affection for" to express a feeling of fondness or liking towards someone or something. For example, "I "have affection for" old movies" or "She "has affection for" her childhood home".

What are some alternatives to "have affection for"?

Alternatives include "be fond of", "feel fondness toward", or "harbor warmth toward", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "has affection for" instead of "have affection for"?

Yes, the correct form depends on the subject. Use "has affection for" with singular subjects (e.g., "he", "she", "it") and "have affection for" with plural subjects (e.g., "they", "we") or the pronoun "I" or "you".

What is the difference between "have affection for" and "love"?

"Love" is a stronger and more intense emotion than ""have affection for"". Affection implies a gentle fondness, while love suggests a deeper emotional attachment.