a close familiarity

USAGE SUMMARY

"a close familiarity" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used in the sense of having a deep knowledge or understanding of something or someone. For example: His close familiarity with the subject gave him a distinct advantage in the exam.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Though some of the mistakes have been mere slips, they were slips of a sort that a candidate who claims a close familiarity with America's founding ought never to have made.

The Economist

[see section 5.] Given that his earliest development of an interest in logic and philosophy occurred at the University of Padua, it is surely no surprise that a close familiarity with the works of Aristotle and his interpreters would form a major part of his training.

SEP

With a close familiarity with the gritty side of the greater Chicago area, Monahan is careful to pinpoint every single detail in his sculptures from debris on the ground to graffiti on awnings. .

Vice

The CWG had a close familiarity with the literature in this field.

British Journal of Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Is there any close familiarity with Pope Paul VI's encyclical "Humanae Vitae" or Pope John Paul II's book "Love and Responsibility" or his "theology of the body," which present a vivid theological, philosophical and moral framework for Catholic understanding of the human person and sexuality?

The New York Times

In general, he said, the editing "indicates a very close familiarity with Governor Palin".

The New York Times - Tech

However, parsing natural language is an intricate endeavor, where a wide range of possible approaches and open research questions exist, making the choice of a natural language parsing component a burden for researchers without close familiarity with current trends in natural language processing (NLP).

Bioinformatics

Peter J. Levinson, a music publicist who parlayed his close familiarity with jazz personalities into rich and sometimes intimate biographies of them, died on Oct. 21 at his home in Malibu, Calif.

The New York Times - Arts

It reflected close familiarity with encryption codes developed at M.I.T.

The New York Times - Books

Is this some psychoacoustic phenomenon then, some disorientation caused by close familiarity with the old mono sound?

The New York Times - Arts

And her own close familiarity with Japanese subjects should make her ideally suited to this task, although her previous emphasis has been on women's lives.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a close familiarity", ensure that the context clearly indicates the subject or area with which the familiarity exists. For example, "a close familiarity with the local customs" provides more clarity than simply "a close familiarity".

Common error

Avoid using "a close familiarity" without specifying what the familiarity pertains to. Saying someone has "a close familiarity" is incomplete; clarify the subject matter to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a close familiarity" functions as a noun phrase that describes a state of being well-acquainted with something, indicating a strong understanding or knowledge. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, where it is used to highlight expertise or deep awareness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a close familiarity" is a noun phrase used to denote a deep understanding or knowledge of something. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and usable in written English. While relatively rare in occurrence, it appears across various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. Its neutral to professional register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communications when you need to emphasize someone's expertise or knowledge, ensure the context clearly defines the subject with which the familiarity exists. Using alternatives like "intimate knowledge" or "deep understanding" can add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intimate knowledge

Focuses on the depth and personal nature of the knowledge.

deep understanding

Emphasizes comprehension and insight rather than mere acquaintance.

thorough grasp

Highlights a comprehensive and firm understanding.

extensive acquaintance

Suggests a broad and detailed knowledge gained over time.

considerable expertise

Indicates a high level of skill and knowledge in a particular area.

profound awareness

Conveys a deep and insightful understanding of a situation or subject.

keen appreciation

Suggests a sensitive and nuanced understanding, often with a positive connotation.

comprehensive insight

Focuses on a complete and thorough understanding, providing a broad perspective.

detailed insight

Highlights the minute and specific details understood.

mastery of the subject

Implies complete and authoritative knowledge of a topic.

FAQs

How can I use "a close familiarity" in a sentence?

You can use "a close familiarity" to describe someone's deep understanding or knowledge of something. For example, "Her "a close familiarity" with the software made her an invaluable asset to the team."

What's the difference between "a close familiarity" and "a passing acquaintance"?

"A close familiarity" implies deep knowledge and understanding, while "a passing acquaintance" suggests only a superficial or casual knowledge.

What can I say instead of "a close familiarity"?

You can use alternatives like "intimate knowledge", "deep understanding", or "thorough grasp" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "close familiarity with" or "close familiarity of"?

"Close familiarity with" is generally preferred and more grammatically correct when referring to a subject or topic. "Close familiarity of" is less common.