a close friend of ours

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a close friend of ours" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a friend who is shared between the speaker and another person or group. Example: "We invited a close friend of ours to the party, and we hope everyone will enjoy their company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

When I ran into him last I told him a close friend of ours, Chris Marshall, had died.

Vice

Last time I ran into him I told him that a close friend of ours, Chris Marshall, had died.

Vice

This happened to a close friend of ours; she's Bosnian.

The New York Times

Ms Dynamite is one of the true legends of the Notting Hill carnival, and a close friend of ours.

The Guardian

After five or six years of this, my friend's miserably duped parents dragged themselves back to a neighborhood near ours where it happened that my wife Genie and I got to know their utterly dislocated and severely damaged children, one of whom grew to become a close friend of ours.

Huffington Post

After that, we got a lot of interest generated through Matt Swift, a close friend of ours who used to run a Sheffield club called Jive Turkey, and we got to do the launch of the International Documentary Festival with Jarvis Cocker.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"She was a close friend of Truffaut".

The New Yorker

He was a close friend of Harold Ross.

The New Yorker

France, historically a close friend of Romania, does less well.

The Economist

Mr. Raymond was a close friend of Dick Cheney's.

The New York Times - Books

Mr Poe is a close friend of Mr Estrada.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a close friend of ours", ensure the context clarifies who the 'ours' refers to. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the connection between the friend and the group.

Common error

Avoid using "a close friend of ours" when the 'ours' is unclear. This can lead to confusion about who the friend is connected to. Always provide sufficient context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a close friend of ours" functions as a noun phrase, specifically a determiner phrase, identifying a person who is held in high regard and shared as a friend within a group. Ludwig's examples show its use in various narratives and reports.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Encyclopedias

17%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Science

0%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a close friend of ours" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe someone who is a friend to both the speaker and at least one other person. As indicated by Ludwig, it is most frequently found in news and media contexts. While 'uncommon' in overall frequency, it effectively conveys a sense of shared connection and regard. For alternatives, consider "a dear friend of ours" or "one of our closest friends" to add nuances of affection or proximity. Remember to provide context to clarify who 'ours' refers to, ensuring clarity in your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a dear friend of ours

Emphasizes affection or fondness in the friendship.

an intimate friend of ours

Suggests a deeper, more personal connection.

one of our closest friends

Focuses on the degree of closeness within a group of friends.

a long-time friend of ours

Highlights the duration of the friendship.

a trusted friend of ours

Emphasizes the reliability and confidence placed in the friend.

a special friend of ours

Indicates that the friend holds a unique or significant place in the group's lives.

a close acquaintance of ours

Reduces the degree of intimacy compared to "friend".

someone we consider a close friend

Rephrases to highlight the speaker's perspective on the relationship.

a pal of ours

Uses a more informal term for friend.

a buddy of ours

Uses a more casual term for friend, common in informal settings.

FAQs

How can I use "a close friend of ours" in a sentence?

Use "a close friend of ours" to refer to someone who is a friend to both you and another person or group. For example, "We invited "a close friend of ours" to the wedding."

What's a more affectionate alternative to "a close friend of ours"?

Alternatives like "a dear friend of ours" or "a special friend of ours" can convey a stronger sense of affection, depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a close friend of we" instead of "a close friend of ours"?

No, "a close friend of we" is grammatically incorrect. The correct possessive pronoun to use is "ours", as it indicates that the friend is shared among a group.

What's the difference between "a close friend of mine" and "a close friend of ours"?

"A close friend of mine" indicates a friendship specific to the speaker. "A close friend of ours" indicates a friendship shared by the speaker and at least one other person or a group of people.