lingering affection

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lingering affection" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a feeling of love or fondness that persists over time, often despite changes in circumstances or relationships. Example: "Even after all these years apart, she still felt a lingering affection for him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

So our lingering affection for the cross is entirely symbolic.

The Guardian - Opinion

Despite her thick-as-Vegemite accent, Bennett appears to have no great lingering affection for her home country, saying recently: "I can't imagine going there by choice".

The Guardian

In fact there is a lingering affection for the original Big Man of Africa in this place where he poured not a little money.

The New York Times

But when she finally meets him in an enchanted forest, her lingering affection for him renders her incapable of killing him, and she contemplates suicide.

The Guardian - Film

But it is a national icon, and there is still a lingering affection from the public".So it will be heartening for Mr Rose to note that hostility among hacks seems to be waning as his reforms take effect.

The Economist

Despite the weakening of the bonds between us, I think many people in Commonwealth nations do have a lingering affection for the organisation and this can help when you're building multi-national, multi-disciplinary teams to look at problems.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Ideological bias, unshakeable Clinton addiction and lingering McCain affection may not account for all or even most of it.

The New York Times

It would be terrible if computer editing wiped out the proper emotional resistance to making a cut — the lingering grave affection for a face, a landscape, an interior, even the resonance of an empty space.

The New Yorker

The makers of Rock Star - which is precisely such a 1980s retro-flick - must have seen Heavy Metal Parking Lot, and they have learned its lessons well, lingering with affection on every sartorial grace note and cosmetic nuance, and thereby enriching their own movie hugely.

The Guardian

Whatever lingering and unrequited affection there was for the old dumpling, it might be fair to assume, was satisfied by the introduction two years ago of the New Beetle, a glossy, postmodern rendition of the adorable Bug that beyond appearances has almost nothing in common with the original.

The New York Times

But clearly the affection lingers, as he can still manage a more than passable impersonation of the blunt Australian.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about relationships or past experiences, use "lingering affection" to subtly convey that some positive feelings remain despite the passage of time or changes in circumstance.

Common error

While "lingering affection" is acceptable, avoid its overuse in very formal or business writing. Opt for more neutral terms like "respect" or "positive regard" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lingering affection" functions as a noun phrase where "lingering" modifies "affection", denoting a lasting or persistent feeling of fondness. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct. The examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in describing relationships and feelings that persist over time.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

93%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lingering affection" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe an enduring positive feeling, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it conveys a sense of gentle, persistent fondness that remains despite changes in circumstances. Ludwig's examples illustrate the subtle nuances of its usage, and it is suitable for neutral to slightly formal writing. While semantically similar phrases like "enduring fondness" or "lasting fondness" can be used as alternatives, the precise choice depends on the specific tone and context. Therefore be aware of your audience and purpose when using "lingering affection".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lingering fondness

Maintains "lingering" but swaps "affection" for "fondness", offering a slightly softer tone.

enduring fondness

Replaces "affection" with "fondness" and "lingering" with "enduring", emphasizing the long-lasting nature of the feeling.

lasting fondness

Replaces "affection" with "fondness" and "lingering" with "lasting", suggesting a fondness that continues over time.

continuing affection

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the affection, replacing "lingering" with "continuing".

persistent fondness

Substitutes "lingering" with "persistent", highlighting the continuous nature of the affectionate feeling.

sustained affection

Replaces "lingering" with "sustained", focusing on the continued support of the affection over time.

remaining fondness

Replaces "lingering" with "remaining", suggesting that the affection is what is left after some time.

residual affection

Replaces "lingering" with "residual", indicating a remaining amount of affection.

deep-seated affection

Replaces "lingering" with "deep-seated", indicating that the affection is deeply rooted.

unfading affection

Highlights the unchanging quality of the affection, contrasting with the implication of fading that "lingering" might suggest.

FAQs

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

"Lingering affection" is used to describe a feeling of fondness that remains after a period of time or separation. For example: "Despite their differences, she felt a "lingering affection" for her childhood friend."

What can I say instead of "lingering affection"?

You can use alternatives like "enduring fondness", "lasting fondness", or "remaining fondness", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "lingering affection" a positive or negative sentiment?

"Lingering affection" generally carries a positive sentiment, suggesting a gentle, persistent fondness. However, the overall tone depends on the context. It can also imply a bittersweet feeling, especially when the relationship has ended or changed.

What's the difference between "lingering affection" and "unrequited love"?

"Lingering affection" implies a general fondness that remains, even if the relationship is not romantic or has changed. "Unrequited love", on the other hand, specifically refers to love that is not reciprocated.