a common acquaintance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a common acquaintance" is correct and usable in written English.
It is commonly used to refer to someone who two people know but who is not a close friend or family to either of them. Example sentence: She introduced me to her friend, but we had already been acquainted through a common acquaintance.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"Thanks to a common acquaintance, I contacted Alisher," Mr. Milner said in the Vedomosti interview.

The New York Times

First, I'll find out from you, if you've reached a certain level in business, whether you and I have a common acquaintance.

The New York Times

The New Yorker, October 25 , 1941P. 11 A man came into the office of an architect & told him that he had been advised by a common acquaintance (whose name he had forgotten for the moment) to come to this architect whenever he had a good tip on the horses; all he wanted was just coffee and cakes.

The New Yorker

A man came into the office of an architect & told him that he had been advised by a common acquaintance (whose name he had forgotten for the moment) to come to this architect whenever he had a good tip on the horses; all he wanted was just coffee and cakes.

The New Yorker

By Leon R. Levy and Russell Maloney The New Yorker, October 25 , 1941P. 11 A man came into the office of an architect & told him that he had been advised by a common acquaintance (whose name he had forgotten for the moment) to come to this architect whenever he had a good tip on the horses; all he wanted was just coffee and cakes.

The New Yorker

Suppose three friends need to decide whether to buy a present for a common acquaintance.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Additional strategies focus on defending against men in more common acquaintance situations (e.g., breaking wrist or choke holds, getting out from under someone using body weight to restrain you).

BMC Women's Health

A wake is attended by people acquainted with the deceased, and a celebrity is, in a sense, a mutual acquaintance we hold in common with the world.

The New Yorker

E-mail address GO SIGN UP Share Tweet A wake is attended by people acquainted with the deceased, and a celebrity is, in a sense, a mutual acquaintance we hold in common with the world.

The New Yorker

Introduce yourself or ask a mutual acquaintance to make an introduction to a connection you have in common.

Duke University

Through a mutual acquaintance, Tabibian sent him a message.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When introducing two people, mentioning "a common acquaintance" can provide an immediate point of connection and facilitate conversation.

Common error

Don't assume that because two people have "a common acquaintance", they will automatically get along or have shared interests beyond that connection. Encourage them to find other common ground.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a common acquaintance" typically functions as a noun phrase identifying a person known to two or more individuals. As Ludwig indicates, this phrase is grammatically correct and used to describe a shared contact.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a common acquaintance" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that refers to someone known by two or more people. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media, science and wiki contexts and serves to establish a connection or shared reference point. While not extremely frequent, its usage is well-established, and related terms like "a mutual acquaintance" offer similar meanings. Use it to build rapport when introducing individuals, but avoid assuming too much based solely on this shared connection.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a mutual contact

Emphasizes the shared nature of the connection between individuals.

a shared acquaintance

Highlights the fact that the acquaintance is known to both parties involved.

a person we both know

Simple and direct way to convey the existence of a shared connection.

someone we both know

Similar to "a person we both know" but uses "someone" for generality.

an acquaintance known to both of us

More formal phrasing emphasizing the shared knowledge of the acquaintance.

a connection in common

Focuses on the shared link rather than the person.

a shared contact person

More business-oriented alternative to "a common acquaintance".

an overlapping acquaintance

Highlights the intersection of social circles.

a go-between

Implies this person is acting as a bridge between two people.

a linking acquaintance

This person provides a link or connection between two people.

FAQs

How can I use "a common acquaintance" in a sentence?

"A common acquaintance" is used to indicate a person known by two or more individuals. For example, "They discovered they both knew the same lawyer, a common acquaintance from their university days".

What is another way to say "a common acquaintance"?

Alternatives to "a common acquaintance" include "a mutual acquaintance", a shared contact, or someone we both know.

Is it appropriate to ask about "a common acquaintance" if I don't know them well?

It's generally acceptable to ask about "a common acquaintance", but avoid overly personal or sensitive questions, especially if you aren't close to the person you're asking.

What's the difference between "a common acquaintance" and a friend?

While "a common acquaintance" is someone known to multiple people, a friend implies a closer, more personal relationship. Therefore, treat friends and acquaintances differently, showing more deference towards friends.