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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
Grow fond of
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "grow fond of" is correct and usable in written English
You can use it to indicate that someone has developed a positive feeling towards someone or something over time. Example: After spending months getting to know her, I slowly began to grow fond of her.
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
28 human-written examples
The question is, will these two cynics grow fond of each other when they've got their clothes on, too?
News & Media
To get to know her, to grow fond of her, you had to spend a long time hanging around.
News & Media
And as Europeans grow fond of air-conditioning in cars and dentists' offices, more want it at home.
News & Media
Power has real feeling for her characters, but to know them is not necessarily to grow fond of them.
News & Media
This season, Brown could share that role with Sanders, whom Roethlisberger seemed to grow fond of in multi-receiver sets down the stretch in 2010.
News & Media
Some ranchers even grow fond of the animals they raise, no matter how abruptly these relationships may end at the stockyard gate.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
32 human-written examples
Alice starts to tire of her husband and grow fonder of Madgwick, who experiences mixed emotions in his continued interactions with her and Rodney.
Wiki
They have grown fond of it now.
News & Media
She grew fond of him.
News & Media
I'd grown fond of Kaylee.
News & Media
The couple's daughter grew fond of the hubbub.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
✓ Best practice
To emphasize the depth of feeling, consider stronger alternatives like "become attached to" or "grow to love", depending on the specific context.
⚠ Common error
Avoid using "grow fond of" when describing instant attraction or love at first sight. This phrase implies a gradual process of developing affection over time.
Linguistic Context
The phrase "grow fond of" functions as a verb phrase indicating the gradual development of affection or liking towards someone or something. As noted by Ludwig AI, it expresses the process of becoming attached over time. Examples in Ludwig demonstrate usage across diverse contexts, reinforcing its role in depicting emotional progression.
Expression frequency: Common
✓ Frequent in
News & Media
85%
Wiki
7%
Science
4%
⚠ Less common in
Formal & Business
1%
Reference
1%
Encyclopedias
1%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "grow fond of" is a versatile verb phrase that describes the gradual development of affection or liking. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical correctness and widespread usage make it a reliable choice for expressing this sentiment. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, "grow fond of" maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse audiences. While alternatives like "become attached to" or "warm to" offer nuanced variations, understanding the gradual nature of affection is crucial for accurate usage. By avoiding its application to instantaneous attractions, writers can effectively convey the intended emotional progression. Therefore, remember "grow fond of" is the way you subtly express that something with the time becomes nice to you.
Alternative expressions
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
develop a liking for
A more formal and less intense way of saying you are starting to like something.
warm to
Suggests a gradual increase in affection, often after initial reservations.
become attached to
Implies a stronger emotional connection than simply liking something.
take a shine to
An informal way to express that someone quickly started to like something.
grow to love
Indicates a stronger emotional bond than just fondness.
cultivate affection for
Suggests a deliberate effort to develop fondness.
More alternative expressions(6)
FAQs
How can I use "grow fond of" in a sentence?
You can use "grow fond of" to describe a gradual development of affection. For example, "Over time, I began to "grow fond of" the old house and its quirks".
What can I say instead of "grow fond of"?
You can use alternatives like "develop a liking for", "become attached to", or "warm to" depending on the context.
Is it correct to say "grow fond to" instead of "grow fond of"?
No, the correct preposition to use with "grow fond" is "of". "Grow fond to" is grammatically incorrect.
What's the difference between "grow fond of" and "love"?
"Grow fond of" suggests a gradual development of affection, while "love" implies a stronger and more intense emotion. "Grow fond of" is a milder expression of affection.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
88%
Authority and reliability
4.6/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested