What is affection? Pronunciation and usage in English

affection means . Learn how to pronounce and use affection through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of affection

affectionnoun

/əˈfɛkʃn/
Definition & pronunciation of affection

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "affection" in English. It's a tricky word! Here's a breakdown and some tips:

The Standard Pronunciation (American & British)

  • AF-fek-shun

Let's look at each part:

  • AF: Pronounced like "ahf" – a quick, almost silent "h" sound. Think of it as a short, sharp "ah."
  • fek: Pronounced like "фек" (like the Russian letter "к"). It's a soft, slightly drawn-out "f" sound followed by the "eh" in "bed."
  • shun: Pronounced like "shun" – as in "sun" but with a "sh" sound at the beginning.

Break it Down Further:

  1. Start with "ahf": Quickly say "ahf."
  2. Follow with "фек": Say the soft "f" followed by the "eh" as in "bed."
  3. Finish with "shun": Say "shun" as in "sun."

Tips and Common Mistakes:

  • Don't over-emphasize the "e": The "e" in "fek" isn't a long, drawn-out vowel. It's relatively short.
  • Don't say "ex-fek-shun": This is a very common mistake! The "x" doesn't exist in the pronunciation.
  • Listen to examples: The best way to learn is to hear it spoken. Here are some resources:

To summarize, focus on "AF-fek-shun" and don't get caught up in the "ex-" prefix.

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you additional examples of words with similar sounds?

Usage and examples with the word affection in English

Let's break down how to use the word "affection" in English. It's a subtle word with a few different nuances, so understanding those differences is key.

1. As a Noun: Expressing Love and Warmth

This is the most common usage of "affection." It refers to a feeling of love, fondness, or caring. It's a gentler, often quieter, form of love than "passion" or "romantic love."

  • Examples:
    • “She showed her affection for her grandchildren by always baking them their favorite cookies.” (Kindness and care)
    • “He expressed his affection through small, thoughtful gestures, like leaving her a handwritten note.” (Subtle expressions of love)
    • “They have a deep affection for each other after years of friendship.” (Strong fondness and connection)
    • “The puppy responded to her touch with obvious affection.” (Warmth and liking)

2. As a Verb: To Show Affection

Here, "affection" means to express love or liking. It’s a less common usage but perfectly valid.

  • Examples:
    • “She affects her brother with a hug and a kiss.” (She shows her affection through physical contact)
    • “He affects a polite demeanor to hide his annoyance.” (He pretends to show affection – often insincerely.) Note: This usage implies a performance, not genuine feeling.
    • "The dog will affection her by licking her face.” (The dog expresses affection by licking)

3. Affectionate (as an adjective):

This describes something that shows affection.

  • Examples:
    • "She gave him an affectionate hug.”
    • “The movie had an affectionate tone.” (Meaning it conveyed warmth and fondness)
    • “They exchanged affectionate glances.”

Key Differences and Nuances:

  • Affection vs. Love: “Affection” is often a less intense feeling than “love.” It can be used for friends, family members, and even pets. “Love” is typically reserved for romantic relationships (though it can be used more broadly as well).

  • Subtlety: "Affection" often implies subtle expressions of feeling. It’s not always loud or dramatic.

  • "Affectionate" vs "Loving": "Affectionate" describes the action of showing affection. “Loving” describes the feeling of love.

Here's a table to summarize:

Word Part of Speech Meaning Example
Affection Noun Feeling of love, fondness, or caring “She has a deep affection for her mom.”
Affection Verb To express affection “He affects his friends with a joke.”
Affectionate Adjective Showing affection “She gave an affectionate hug.”

Resources for Further Learning:

Do you want me to:

  • Give you more examples of how to use "affection" in specific contexts (e.g., in a sentence about a pet, a friendship, or a romantic relationship)?
  • Help you differentiate between "affection" and similar words like "love," "fondness," or "adoration"?

Synonyms for the word affection

Practice with vocabulary affection

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. She showed her _______ by giving him a warm hug.
  2. The teacher’s _______ for her students was evident in her patience and encouragement.
  3. His _______ for classical music began when he was just a child.
  4. The novel explores the theme of _______ through the relationship between the two main characters.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which word best describes a deep feeling of fondness or care?
    a) Affection
    b) Indifference
    c) Frustration
    d) Curiosity

  2. Which of the following words can be used to express a strong connection between people?
    a) Love
    b) Affection
    c) Anger
    d) Jealousy

  3. What emotion is shown when someone pets a dog gently and talks to it softly?
    a) Fear
    b) Affection
    c) Boredom
    d) Excitement

  4. Which word is closest in meaning to "admiration" but not "affection"?
    a) Respect
    b) Devotion
    c) Ignorance
    d) Disgust

  5. Which word describes a lack of interest or concern?
    a) Affection
    b) Indifference
    c) Passion
    d) Sympathy

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: She loved her cat dearly.
    Rewrite: She showed great _______ for her cat.

  2. Original: The bond between the siblings was strong.
    Rewrite: The siblings shared deep _______.

  3. Original: He expressed his feelings through small gestures.
    Rewrite: He expressed his _______ through thoughtful acts.

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. affection
  2. affection
  3. passion
  4. love

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. a) Affection
  2. a) Love, b) Affection
  3. b) Affection
  4. a) Respect
  5. b) Indifference

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. She showed great affection for her cat.
  2. The siblings shared deep affection.
  3. He expressed his care through thoughtful acts.

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