natural affection

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "natural affection" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an instinctive or inherent emotional bond, often in the context of familial or close relationships. Example: "The bond between a mother and her child is often characterized by a deep natural affection that transcends words."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

Philostorgy means natural affection.

The New Yorker

A Valentine's Day tweet from Barack to Michelle evoked their natural affection and mutual respect.

The New Yorker

His later plays A Loss of Roses (1960; filmed as The Stripper, 1963), Natural Affection (1963), Where's Daddy?

Encyclopedia Britannica

They were not only Opinionative, Peevish, Covetous, Morose, Vain, Talkative, but uncapable of Friendship, and dead to all natural Affection...

The New Yorker

The top-grossing movies have become a regular feature of news reports, encouraging Hollywood's natural affection for megahits.

The New York Times

NATURAL AFFECTION A young man returns home from a reform school stay to find that his single mother is living with a new man.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

His vigilance in his attention to his only child, continually, day and night, have strongly exhibited the strength of natural affections, equaled only by his gratitude for the relief afforded his daughter.

Yale University

As a love poet, he developed a fresh and original treatment of the situations of courtly love and, ultimately, in such poems as the popular "Unter der Linden," achieved a free, uninhibited style in which the poses of court society gave way before the natural affections of village folk.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Unskilled, low-paid work, depending upon an archaic notion of the "natural" affections of women, nothing speaks more truthfully of our indifference to those who require not efficiency or productivity gains (that, after all, is the rationale behind recourse to gastrostomy, feeding tubes attached to the stomach), but tenderness and the touch of loving hands.

The Guardian - Opinion

So when we subject affections to moral judgment, we approve most highly of the natural affections.

SEP

Those that evoke approving moral sentiments are the other-directed, natural affections.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "natural affection" to describe inherent feelings, especially in familial or close relationships. For nuance, consider alternatives like "natural tenderness" or "natural fondness" depending on the context.

Common error

While "natural affection" is widely understood, avoid overuse in highly formal or technical writing where a more precise term like "familial bond" or "inherent empathy" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "natural affection" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to an inherent or instinctive emotional bond, often related to familial or close relationships, as supported by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "natural affection" is a noun phrase that describes inherent feelings of love and care, primarily within close relationships. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, appearing across various contexts from news media to academic texts. While versatile, it's advisable to consider the context and audience when choosing between "natural affection" and alternatives such as "natural tenderness" or "familial bond". The phrase's consistent usage and presence in authoritative sources underscore its reliability and widespread understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

natural tenderness

Emphasizes the gentle and caring aspect of affection.

natural fondness

Highlights a gentle liking or warm feeling.

natural love

Directly refers to a deep, inherent feeling of love.

natural warmth

Focuses on the emotional heat and sincerity of the affection.

natural intimacy

Suggests a close and personal connection.

spontaneous affection

Highlights the unprompted and genuine nature of the affection.

inherent affection

Stresses that the affection is a built-in or essential quality.

innate affection

Similar to inherent affection, emphasizing the inborn nature.

natural sentiment

Refers to a naturally occurring feeling or emotion.

native affection

Highlights the inherent and original quality of affection.

FAQs

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

You can use "natural affection" to describe inherent feelings of love and care, such as: "The play explores themes of "natural affection" between parents and children".

What phrases are similar to "natural affection"?

Similar phrases include "natural tenderness", "natural fondness", or "inherent love", which convey similar meanings depending on the specific context.

Is "natural affection" formal or informal language?

"Natural affection" is suitable for a variety of contexts. While widely understood, consider the formality of your writing and choose a more precise term if needed. For example, "familial bond" could be a good substitute in more formal context.

What's the difference between "natural affection" and "romantic love"?

"Natural affection" generally describes inherent feelings of love and care within close relationships, often familial. "Romantic love", on the other hand, refers to feelings of love and attraction typically between romantic partners.