personal fondness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "personal fondness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express an individual's affection or liking for someone or something on a personal level. Example: "She has a personal fondness for classic literature, often revisiting her favorite novels."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Then, with "sadness, great personal fondness and the deepest respect and gratitude," Ms. Centrello delivered the news.

The New York Times - Books

Nixon had a great personal fondness for Pakistan's military ruler, who was carrying out the brutal crackdown on the Bengalis.

The New Yorker

They would be acting not out of any personal fondness, but because they might be useful to one another.

The New York Times

There is nothing wrong, and much right, in having empathy, even personal fondness for the people one chronicles.

The New York Times - Arts

Since stepping aside Sept. 5, he has given television interviews in which he declares his personal fondness for her but offers withering comments.

The New York Times

Mr. Romney said that despite his personal fondness for Big Bird and Mr. Lehrer, he would reduce government spending by cutting financing for PBS.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Colourful reports persist, meanwhile, about his eccentric personal lifestyle, his fondness for partying and alcohol, and an apparent obsession, shared with his elder brother, Kim Jong-chol, with western icons such as the American basketball player Michael Jordan and the British rock star Eric Clapton.

The Guardian

The song's lyrics, though largely limited to the personal realm, illustrate his fondness for alliteration ("her harlequin hovers nearby" follows the title line, for starters).

The New York Times

He has never met Kim Jong Il, who is highly reclusive, and whose political intentions and personal tastes — including a reported fondness for slasher films, luxury cars, and basketball — have been the subject of much speculation in the West.

The New Yorker

His crew-cut hair, button-down shirts and skinny bow ties were personal trademarks, as was his fondness for driving to work in a pickup truck from his farm in Wayland, Mass.

The New York Times

When they talked of Tanzania, they talked, in effect, of Nyerere - the simple, unassuming former schoolteacher, untainted by corruption or personal scandals and with a fondness for Mateus rosé.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "personal fondness" when you want to express a gentle liking or affection for something or someone on a personal level. It implies a positive sentiment without being overly intense.

Common error

Avoid using "personal fondness" when describing passionate love or intense admiration. The phrase is better suited for expressing mild affection rather than deep, fervent emotions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "personal fondness" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It expresses a subjective, emotional state of liking or affection towards something or someone. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "personal fondness" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to express a gentle liking or affection. According to Ludwig, it's suitable for various contexts, especially News & Media. While acceptable in formal writing, it's important to consider whether a more precise term might be more appropriate depending on the situation. When using "personal fondness", ensure it aligns with the intended sentiment, avoiding its use for intense emotions. Related phrases such as "individual affection" or "private liking" can provide alternative ways to express similar ideas. Considering its relatively low frequency, choosing synonyms can add more variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

individual affection

Focuses more on the individual nature of the affection.

private liking

Emphasizes the private or personal nature of the liking.

personal affection

Highlights the emotional aspect of fondness.

individual preference

Shifts the focus to choice rather than emotion.

particular inclination

Implies a specific tendency or leaning.

special attachment

Suggests a stronger emotional bond.

deep appreciation

Indicates a profound level of valuing something.

personal partiality

Highlights a bias or favoritism.

soft spot

An idiomatic expression indicating a gentle affection.

warm regard

Suggests respect and positive feeling.

FAQs

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

You can use "personal fondness" to describe a gentle liking for someone or something. For example, "She has a "personal fondness" for old movies".

What are some alternatives to "personal fondness"?

Alternatives include "individual affection", "private liking", or "special attachment", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "personal fondness" in formal writing?

Yes, "personal fondness" is appropriate in formal writing, but consider whether a more precise term like "individual preference" or "deep appreciation" might be more suitable depending on the intended meaning.

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

"Personal fondness" suggests a gentle liking, while "personal affection" implies a warmer, more emotional connection. The choice depends on the intensity of the feeling you want to convey.