think of fondly

USAGE SUMMARY

"think of fondly" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when expressing positive memories or feelings about someone or something. Example: "I often think of fondly the summer vacations we spent together." Alternative expressions include "cherish" and "hold dear."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

It is one of those classes I think of fondly.

The Guardian

He is the uncredited writer of "Point Break," a movie directed by his then-wife Kathryn Bigelow, and one that, living in Los Angeles, I can't help but think of fondly.

The New Yorker

But when I think back to the adults I called Mr. and Mrs. as I child (pretty much everyone), I picture the parents of my good friends, most of whom I found warm and nurturing and still think of fondly today.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The club was already thought of fondly.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is a name still thought of fondly in the New York sports world.

The New York Times

"He's thought of fondly in these halls.

Los Angeles Times

But while it's understandable that the Iowa Straw Poll may continue to be thought of fondly by election year nostalgists, one can't help but liken the removal of this pseudo-event to 15,000 lobbyists left in a desert buried up to their necks in sand -- that is: a "good start," as they say.

Huffington Post

My husband and I had traveled enough in that country to think of it fondly... very fondly," she said.

Huffington Post

"They think nobody's going to remember them or think of them fondly".

The New York Times

She's off to a good start; they think of Dad fondly for a second.

The New Yorker

And, though we think of them fondly as pure 1960s fantasy, several of Buckminster Fuller's geodesic domes were actually built.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this expression when discussing people, places or events from the past to signal a positive personal connection.

Common error

Since "fondly" implies affection, pairing it with negative verbs or contexts (e.g. "I cannot think of that disaster fondly") can sound sarcastic or logically clashing. If the memory is unpleasant, choose an alternative like "recall with regret" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "think of fondly" functions as a modified transitive verb construction. The verb "think" is paired with the preposition "of" to direct the thought toward an object, while the adverb "fondly" acts as an intensive modifier describing the manner of the thought. According to Ludwig examples, it often appears in the first person to establish a personal narrative voice.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Reference

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "think of fondly" is a grammatically sound and elegant way to express affectionate recollection. While it appears less frequently in its exact form than variants like "remember fondly" or the passive "thought of fondly", it is a staple of high-quality English prose. Ludwig AI confirms its status as a correct and highly usable phrase, particularly suited for memoirs, profiles and narrative journalism. It successfully bridges the gap between simple memory and deep personal sentiment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remember fondly

The most common and direct synonym for retrospective affection

look back fondly on

A very similar structure but emphasizes the retrospective viewpoint

look back on with pleasure

More descriptive and focuses on the act of reflection

reminisce about

Implies a more active or shared act of recalling memories

cherish the memory of

Carries a deeper emotional weight and suggests the memory is precious

recollect with affection

Slightly more formal than the original phrase

think back on with warmth

Uses warmth as a sensory metaphor for positive feelings

hold dear

Focuses on the current value of the person or thing remembered

recall with a smile

Adds a specific visual or physical reaction to the memory

treasure the thought of

Highly sentimental and suggests intense value

FAQs

What is the difference between "think of fondly" and "remember fondly"?

While both refer to positive memories, "think of fondly" can refer to a fleeting thought or a general feeling of affection, whereas "remember fondly" specifically emphasizes the cognitive act of recalling a past event.

Is it correct to say "think fondly of" instead?

Yes, "think fondly of" is a perfectly valid and more common variation where the adverb directly follows the verb.

When should I use "thought of fondly"?

Use "thought of fondly" when you are using the passive voice to describe how someone is perceived by others, such as "He is still thought of fondly by his former students."

Can I use "think of fondly" in formal writing?

Yes, it is widely used in journalism and literature. However, for academic or technical contexts, you might prefer more neutral terms like "regard favorably" or "view positively".