personal affection

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "personal affection" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to suggest someone has an attachment or liking for something or someone that is personal to him or her. For example: "George showed a great deal of personal affection for his grandfather, who he spent many hours with reading and playing games."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Is there personal affection for him?

The New York Times

He's someone I have tremendous personal affection for".

Independent

Neither does Merkel share the huge personal affection for Europe felt by her predecessor Helmut Kohl.

The Guardian - Opinion

I have spoken on our campus publicly about my admiration of and personal affection for Sean.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Thompson "was much more into deals than personal affection," Steadman complains.

The New York Times - Books

He seems to have something of a personal affection for coal.

The Guardian - Opinion

Khatami certainly has name recognition, and the personal affection even of many Iranians who were embittered by his failures.

The New Yorker

I support the Uber drivers on principle, but I also have a personal affection for the service.

The Guardian - Opinion

For all the solidarity, the partnership between Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Gates is based on pragmatism rather than personal affection.

The New York Times

In interviews, a dozen such executives expressed personal affection for Mr. Lhota but skepticism about his ability to win a general election.

The New York Times

That something made of the same legal tender used to buy the daily newspaper, tip waiters and bribe politicians was in fact a gift expressing personal affection?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "personal affection" to convey a sense of warmth and positive regard that is specific to the individual. It suggests a deeper connection than simple liking.

Common error

Avoid using "personal affection" in highly formal or business contexts where a more neutral term like "respect" or "positive regard" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "personal affection" functions primarily as a noun phrase, describing a feeling or emotion. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and suitable for general use. The examples show it used to describe feelings between people, or towards objects or ideas.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Academia

22%

Science

19%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "personal affection" is a common and generally accepted way to express warm, positive feelings between people or towards things. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct for use in written English. With several examples from diverse sources like the New York Times and The Guardian, it's evident that the phrase is widely used in news, academic, and general contexts. It's best practice to reserve "personal affection" for situations where a genuine, heartfelt emotion is being conveyed, and avoid it in purely transactional or business settings where "respect" or "positive regard" would be more appropriate. While similar to "personal fondness", "personal affection" suggests a deeper and more meaningful connection.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deep personal fondness

Highlights the intensity and depth of the positive feeling.

personal emotional bond

Highlights the emotional connection between individuals.

fond personal regard

Emphasizes respect and tenderness in addition to liking.

special personal liking

Indicates a preference or favor beyond ordinary affection.

genuine personal warmth

Focuses on the sincerity and pleasantness of the emotion.

close personal connection

Indicates a strong interpersonal relationship beyond casual acquaintance.

personal tender feelings

Suggests gentle and caring emotions.

private personal attachment

Conveys a sense of exclusivity and closeness in the bond.

heartfelt personal devotion

Stresses loyalty and dedication rooted in affection.

individual personal sentiment

Underscores the subjective and personal nature of the feeling.

FAQs

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

You can use "personal affection" to describe feelings someone has for another person or thing. For instance, "She showed great "personal affection" for her childhood pet" or "The team members displayed "personal affection" for their leader".

What are some alternatives to "personal affection"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "personal fondness", "deep regard", or "genuine warmth". These phrases offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

Is it correct to say "professional affection" instead of "personal affection"?

While "professional affection" isn't a standard phrase, it could be used to describe positive feelings within a professional setting, though it is less common. "Personal affection" typically refers to feelings outside of professional dynamics.

What's the difference between "personal affection" and "personal fondness"?

"Personal affection" suggests a deeper emotional connection and care, whereas ""personal fondness"" implies a general liking or positive feeling. The former conveys a stronger bond.