a close acquaintance of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a close acquaintance of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is familiar or friendly with another person, but not necessarily a close friend. Example: "She is a close acquaintance of mine from college, and we often catch up over coffee."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Asked about the address, rebel official Ahmed Jabreel told Reuters: "Talhi is a close acquaintance of mine and he is widely respected in Libya as a man who stood up to Gaddafi.

The Guardian

But Lloyd Grief, a close acquaintance of the family and president of Grief & Company of Los Angeles, the investment bank that took L.A. Gear public in 1986, said, "I think he was stunned with his stock's original reception".

The New York Times

Professor McIntyre liked to engage fellow patrons on the subject of race, according to one regular customer, Daniel Morgan, who considers himself a close acquaintance of both Professor McIntyre and Ms. Davis.

The New York Times

According to the complaint, a "close acquaintance" of Ciccolo's told federal officials Ciccolo had a history of mental illness and had become "obsessed" with Islam in the last 18 months.

The Guardian

In 1586 Porta was probably again summoned before the Neapolitan Inquisition, perhaps together with Luigi Tansillo (1510 1568), an influential poet (and a close acquaintance of Giordano Bruno (1548 1600)).

SEP

As Politico reported, one potential nominee is a close acquaintance of Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas).

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

If you still mistrust them, think about contacting a lawyer if you are married, or asking a close acquaintance if they know of or suspect any suspicious activity.

WikiHow

Nick Townsend tells the story with panache, helped by a close acquaintance with the Irish mastermind of the scheme, Barney Curley, a name which bookmakers have had reason to curse on several occasions.

Independent

The glaziers, however, were probably English with a close acquaintance with French models.

Encyclopedia Britannica

82 subjects were represented by proxy interviews with a close acquaintance or family member.

BMC Health Services Research

Within six months of every death occurring in these households from 2001 to 2003, a trained, non-medical RGI surveyor interviewed a relative or close acquaintance of the deceased to obtain the symptoms and events around the death using structured questions and a local language narrative guided by a specific symptom list.

BMJ Open

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, follow "a close acquaintance of" with specific details about the nature of their relationship. For instance, mention shared activities, professional connections, or how long they've known each other.

Common error

Avoid using "a close acquaintance of" when describing someone you barely know. Using the phrase for a casual contact can mislead your audience about the depth of your relationship. Instead, use "an acquaintance of" or "someone I know".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a close acquaintance of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun, indicating a relationship between that noun and another person. Ludwig AI shows that this phrase is commonly used to describe the degree of familiarity between individuals.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a close acquaintance of" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a relationship that falls between a casual acquaintance and a close friendship. As shown by Ludwig, it's most commonly found in news and media contexts, with occasional use in scientific and encyclopedic writing. When employing this phrase, ensure that the level of closeness accurately reflects the nature of the relationship. Overstating the level of intimacy can be misleading. Consider alternatives like "well-acquainted with" or "on familiar terms with" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

well-acquainted with

Focuses on the degree of familiarity rather than the nature of the relationship.

knows very well

A simple and direct way to express familiarity.

on familiar terms with

Indicates a friendly, informal relationship.

closely associated with

Highlights a professional or collaborative connection.

intimately familiar with

Emphasizes a deep level of understanding and knowledge about someone or something.

a confidante of

Implies a relationship of trust and sharing of secrets.

an intimate of

Implies a very personal and private relationship.

a good friend of

Suggests a stronger bond of friendship than mere acquaintance.

a long-time friend of

Emphasizes the duration of the friendship.

thick as thieves with

Suggests a very strong, close friendship, often implying shared secrets or activities.

FAQs

How can I use "a close acquaintance of" in a sentence?

You can use "a close acquaintance of" to describe someone you know relatively well but aren't necessarily very close friends with. For example: "She is "a close acquaintance of" mine from college."

What's a more formal alternative to "a close acquaintance of"?

Formal alternatives include "a well-known associate of" or "someone with whom I am well-acquainted". These options convey a similar meaning while maintaining a more professional tone.

Is there a difference between "an acquaintance of" and "a close acquaintance of"?

Yes, "an acquaintance of" simply means someone you know, perhaps only by name or passing. "A close acquaintance of" implies a stronger, more familiar relationship, though not as strong as a friendship.

When is it appropriate to use "a close acquaintance of" instead of "a close friend of"?

Use "a close acquaintance of" when you want to indicate a relationship that's more familiar than a casual acquaintance but less intimate than a close friendship. It suggests a bond based on shared experiences or regular interaction, but without the deep emotional connection of close friends.