a common friend

USAGE SUMMARY

"a common friend" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to refer to someone who is a mutual friend of two or more people. Example: "We were introduced by a common friend at a party last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

I met her through a common friend.

The New York Times

We had a common friend, who had been a labor organizer, who introduced us.

Harvard University

He frequently tells the Rev. David Stinson what a common friend, Rabbi Kushner, preached about the previous week.

The New York Times

When the two met six years ago through a common friend, Mr. Speigler knew nothing about New Jersey.

The New York Times

In 2002, a common friend introduced him to James Fowler, at the time a Harvard political-science graduate student.

The New York Times - Magazine

It turned out that we had a common friend in Paris as well, whom we have both known for some 30 years.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Men always discuss about a new common friend (gal) in the circle or a new female employee at work.

WikiHow

Unfriend any common friends with the catfish.

WikiHow

When trying to friend someone new (and someone you may not know directly) be sure you have a connection either through a mutual friend or a common interest.

WikiHow

These are people you may not know, but you have at least one thing in common with — a mutual friend.

TechCrunch

This is possible because these people are exposed to a similar environment and may experience something that may inspire them to quit smoking, like the illness of a common smoker friend.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a common friend" to clearly indicate a shared acquaintance between two or more people. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "a common friend" when you want to emphasize a strong bond. If the friend is a very close friend to both of you, consider saying "a close mutual friend" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a common friend" functions primarily as a noun phrase, specifically as a determiner + adjective + noun construction. As supported by Ludwig, it serves to identify a person known by two or more individuals. It usually acts as the object of a preposition (e.g., 'through a common friend') or as a subject complement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a common friend" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote a mutual acquaintance. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread applicability. Predominantly found in news, academic, and wiki contexts, the phrase serves to establish connections between individuals. When writing, ensure that it accurately reflects the relationship; if a closer bond is meant, consider alternatives like "close mutual friend". Remember, this simple phrase can efficiently bridge understanding by highlighting shared connections.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a mutual acquaintance

Focuses on shared knowledge rather than a close relationship.

a mutual connection

Highlights the shared connection rather than friendship.

a shared contact

Emphasizes the connection as a point of contact.

an acquaintance in common

Highlights the shared acquaintance as a fact.

someone we both know

Directly states the shared knowledge of a person.

someone we mutually know

Rephrases the common knowledge of the person.

a go-between

Suggests the friend acts as a mediator or link.

a connecting link

Focuses on the friend's role in connecting people.

a fellow associate

Implies a professional or formal connection.

an intermediary acquaintance

Suggests an indirect connection through the friend.

FAQs

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

You can use "a common friend" to describe how two people know each other. For example, "We met through "a common friend" at a party."

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

Both phrases are very similar. "A mutual friend" emphasizes reciprocity (the friendship is mutual), while "a common friend" simply indicates a shared acquaintance.

Is it appropriate to use "a common friend" in formal writing?

Yes, "a common friend" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing. It's a clear and straightforward way to describe a shared acquaintance.

What can I say instead of "a common friend"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a mutual acquaintance", "a shared contact", or "someone we both know".