reciprocal affection for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reciprocal affection for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a mutual or shared feeling of love or fondness between individuals or groups. Example: "Their relationship was built on a strong foundation of reciprocal affection for one another, which deepened over the years."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Marinella thus appears to assert that women do not desire men, but experience only a polite reciprocal affection for those men who love them.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

There are also moments of brutal violence, made all the more shocking by the clear love Joe shows for his victim Simon – and the reciprocal affection Simon has for Joe, in spite (perhaps even partly because) of everything.

The Guardian - Books

They distinguish an authoritarian form of filial piety, driven by adherence to parents' normative authority and collective family identification, from reciprocal affection that is grounded in 'the psychological need for mutual relatedness between two individuals', rather than prescriptive role models (Yeh et al. 2013: 2013).

The Journal of Chinese Sociology

The child is conceived without love and the adult characters have little affection for each other, only a deep tolerance, a charity forged by relentless proximity and reciprocal dependence.

The Guardian - Books

They had some affection for me.

The New Yorker

They also share an affection for marijuana.

The New York Times - Magazine

She has a particular affection for puns.

The New Yorker

Felicella has affection for the seventies branches.

The New Yorker

Describes his affection for elaborate games.

The New Yorker

His affection for Shostakovich was symbiotic.

The Economist

"Is there personal affection for him?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about relationships, consider whether "reciprocal affection for" accurately reflects the dynamic. If the affection is one-sided, a different phrase would be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "reciprocal affection for" if there's no clear evidence that the feeling is mutual. Using it incorrectly can misrepresent the nature of the relationship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reciprocal affection for" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as an object of a preposition or a subject complement. According to Ludwig, this phrase correctly describes a mutual feeling.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Encyclopedias

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reciprocal affection for" is a phrase used to describe a mutual feeling of fondness or caring. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and suitable for formal and neutral contexts, as frequently seen in news and scientific publications. While examples are somewhat limited, using alternatives like "mutual fondness for" or "shared affection for" can offer similar meaning with potentially broader applicability. Ensure the affection is genuinely mutual before using the phrase to maintain accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mutual fondness for

Emphasizes the shared feeling of fondness.

shared affection for

Highlights the commonality of the affection.

two-way affection for

Highlights the bi-directional nature of the affection.

reciprocal love for

Replaces "affection" with the stronger term "love".

returned affection for

Suggests that affection is given back in response.

mutual appreciation for

Focuses on valuing each other.

corresponding affection for

Implies that the affection is proportional or matched.

shared admiration for

Highlights respect and high regard.

reciprocal respect for

Emphasizes mutual esteem.

mutual regard for

A more formal way of expressing shared respect and consideration.

FAQs

How can I use "reciprocal affection for" in a sentence?

You can use "reciprocal affection for" to describe a mutual feeling of fondness or love between individuals or groups. For example: "Their relationship was built on a strong foundation of "reciprocal affection for" one another."

What's a good alternative to "reciprocal affection for"?

Alternatives include "mutual fondness for", "shared affection for", or "mutual appreciation for", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "mutual reciprocal affection for"?

Yes, saying "mutual reciprocal affection for" is redundant because "reciprocal" already implies a mutual exchange. It's best to stick with either "reciprocal affection for" or "mutual affection for".

How does "reciprocal affection for" differ from simple liking?

"Reciprocal affection for" implies a deeper, more profound connection than simple liking. While liking can be one-sided, "reciprocal affection for" suggests a mutual bond of fondness or caring.