speak fondly of

/spiːk ˈfɒndli əv/

verb phrase

  1. to talk about someone or something in an affectionate, warm, or happy way, especially showing positive memories

    B2

    [+ of someone or something]; often followed by a person or thing: speak fondly of someone/something

    • "She speaks fondly of her grandmother."A2
    • "She still speaks fondly of her childhood home."B1
    • "He still speaks fondly of his years at university."B1
    • "Many former students speak fondly of the teacher who inspired them."B2
    • "The director spoke fondly of the collaborators who shaped her early work."C1

Common mistakes

  • speak fondly about someone→speak fondly of someone

    The standard fixed expression uses of, not about.

Collocations

speak fondly of the pastremember fondlythink fondly of

Word family

fondfondlyfondness