The hashtags #InternationalFriendship Day, #WorldFriendshipDay and #FriendshipDay were trending on Twitter on July 30 when Friendship Day was celebrated across the globe. In 2011, the General Assembly of the United Nations declared the July 30 as the International Day of Friendship.
Social media has popularised the Day and those who are on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) send messages and e-cards to their friends and share photos and thought-provoking quotes on friendship. While some of my friends and I were discussing the importance of the Day of Friendship, one of them raised the question of whether the plural form of the word ‘friendship’ is acceptable. Yes, the plural form ‘friendships’ can be used in formal English. Here are examples of how the word is used in sentences:
It is important for you to form friendships with your colleagues at the workplace.
It is part of a plan to build friendships between two nations.
In the sentences above, you can see the collocations of the word ‘friendship’. Here are more collocations of ‘friendship’:
Adjectives + friendship: beautiful, close, intimate, deep, firm, great, warm, innocent, eternal, lasting,
lifelong, growing, sustained, renewed
Verbs + friendship: develop, establish, form, make, start-up, strike up, cement, cultivate, renew, promote, destroy, spoil, wreck, betray
Phrases: bonds of friendship, the hand of friendship, a gesture of friendship, an offer of friendship, a spirit of friendship, a token of (my/your/our) friendship
Here are some examples of how these collocations are used in sentences:
It is shocking to know that their beautiful friendship has turned sour.
They should cement their friendship before deciding to sign the agreement.
What are the other words for ‘friend’? There are many formal and informal alternatives for the word ‘friend’. Most learners must be familiar with the words ‘chum’, ‘buddy’ and ‘bestie’ (besty). These three words have the same meaning: ‘close friend’ or ‘best friend’. ‘Bestie’ is a shorter word for ‘best friend’.
Here are examples of how the words are used in sentences:
Officer: Soldier, do you have change for 500?
Soldier: Yes, buddy.
Officer: Soldier, that’s not the right way to address an officer! Now let’s try it again!
Officer: Soldier. Do you have change for 500?
Soldier: No, SIR!
My bestie and I chatted for a long time yesterday.
She invited only her chums for her birthday party.
