show affection
/ʃoʊ əˈfɛkʃən/
Meaning
This expression means to demonstrate love, liking, or care for someone through physical actions (like hugging, holding hands, or kissing) or through kind words and gestures.
Examples
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Some people find it difficult to show affection in public.
Some people find it difficult to show affection in public.
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Dogs often show affection by wagging their tails and licking your hand.
Dogs often show affection by wagging their tails and licking your hand.
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He shows affection by cooking delicious meals for his family.
He shows affection by cooking delicious meals for his family.
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It is important for parents to show affection to their children.
It is important for parents to show affection to their children.
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She isn't very good at showing affection, but she cares deeply about her friends.
She isn't very good at showing affection, but she cares deeply about her friends.
Common Mistakes
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✗ He doesn't like to show his affection to public.
✓ He doesn't like to show affection in public.
Use the preposition 'in' with 'public' to describe where the action happens.
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✗ He showed a lot of affections to her.
✓ He showed a lot of affection to her.
'Affection' is typically used as an uncountable noun when referring to the general feeling of love or liking.
Related Expressions
Practice
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My cat likes to ___ by purring and rubbing against my leg.
💡 Demonstrate love or liking.
Show answer
show affection
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Growing up, my parents rarely ___ to each other.
💡 Expressed physical or verbal love in the past.
Show answer
showed affection