out of affection

USAGE SUMMARY

“out of affection” is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a feeling or action that is inspired by a feeling of love or fondness. For example: "She decided to help him out of affection for her friend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

"But we are trying to do it out of affection".

The New York Times - Arts

Out of affection, we see what we want to see of ourselves.

The New Yorker

Sleaze-side, we called it, much more out of affection than derision.

The New York Times

It's also been found that wolves will howl to their own pack members out of affection, as opposed to anxiety.

Britannica

It's done entirely out of affection, but if you have any idea of what she does for work or what she's really like, it seems completely absurd.

The New Yorker

But le Carré said he made the gift out of affection to the institution, both his own, and Smiley's alma mater.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

Further keyboard conjecture: Could the endless T-shirt be the latest bro trend, arriving just ahead of the bro-iest of seasons, summer, when bros assemble to act out performances of affection for one another?

The New Yorker

We only appreciate how damaged he is when he's alone with his mother, Isabel McMeekan's haughty Empress Elisabeth, who throws out scraps of affection with ruinous flourishes only to then swiftly rescind them with what looks like amusement.

The Guardian

"Marc's actually gotten a lot better about not freaking out over public displays of affection," Vassili told me.

The New York Times - Magazine

Ms. Abbate, an archivist who teaches part time at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center, has a similar affection for out-of-print children's books.

The New York Times

She found in herself a sprouting desire to take a bite out of him, his cheek or his neck, out of a mixture of affection and curiosity to see what the sensation would be like.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "out of affection", ensure the context clearly indicates the recipient of the affection and the resulting action. This helps avoid ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "out of affection" when the motivation is primarily obligation, duty, or another non-emotional reason. Affection implies a genuine feeling of fondness or love. If the motivation is mixed, consider using a phrase that reflects the complexity, such as "partly out of affection and partly out of duty".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "out of affection" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or clause, indicating the reason or motive behind an action. It specifies that the action is performed because of feelings of love, fondness, or care. As stated by Ludwig AI, this is a perfectly usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Wiki

12%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

9%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "out of affection" is a grammatically correct and commonly used prepositional phrase that explains a motive based on feelings of love or fondness. Ludwig AI confirms its validity for use in writing. It's frequently found in News & Media sources, with other occurrences across academic writing and encyclopedias. When using the phrase, be sure to clarify the recipient and action to which it applies. Be aware to avoid using it when obligation is the real motive, to prevent an inappropriate description. If seeking alternatives, phrases like "from fondness" or "due to love" offer similar meanings, focusing specifically on these emotions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

from fondness

Focuses on the feeling of fondness as the cause, rather than affection.

due to love

Highlights love as the motivating factor.

motivated by caring

Emphasizes the act of caring as the driving force.

born of tenderness

Suggests a more delicate or gentle form of affection.

prompted by warmth

Highlights the feeling of warmth and closeness.

through loving consideration

Focuses on the thoughtful and loving aspect of the action.

from a place of love

Emphasizes that the action originates from a loving mindset.

with heartfelt endearment

Suggests deep and sincere affection.

in a gesture of kindness

Highlights the benevolent and thoughtful nature of the action.

with deep appreciation

Focuses on expressing gratitude and admiration.

FAQs

How can I use "out of affection" in a sentence?

You can use "out of affection" to describe an action motivated by fondness or love. For example, "She helped him "out of affection" for their long friendship".

What are some alternatives to saying "out of affection"?

Some alternatives include phrases like "from fondness", "due to love", or "motivated by caring". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "doing something out of affection"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct. The phrase "out of affection" indicates the reason or motivation behind an action is based on feelings of love or fondness.

What's the difference between "out of affection" and "out of obligation"?

"Out of affection" implies the action is driven by feelings of love or fondness, while "out of obligation" suggests it's done because of a sense of duty or requirement. They represent different motivations and should be used accordingly.