a dear friend of ours

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a dear friend of ours" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to someone who is a close friend shared by the speaker and another person or group. Example: "We are excited to invite you to the party, as it will be a celebration for a dear friend of ours who is moving away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Darcie Sims was a dear friend of ours and one of a kind.

HuffPost

One of which was that we all lost a dear friend of ours, musician Duane Jarvis.

Huffington Post

A dear friend of ours referred us the Massey Cancer Center in Richmond, Virginia, and we scheduled an appointment three weeks out.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

She was a dear friend of our founder Henry J. Leir and all of us at the Foundations.

The New York Times

Re "Attack on U.S. Site in Libya Kills Envoy; a Flash Point for Obama and Romney" (front page, Sept. 13): Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens was a very dear friend of ours, and we would like to share some of our reflections on Chris and what his loss means.

The New York Times

A very dear friend of ours cheated on his wife.

Huffington Post

A dear friend of many.

The New York Times

"John McCain is a dear friend of mine.

The Washington Post

"Eleanor was a dear friend of mine.

The Guardian - Books

Hytner is a dear friend, of course.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

A dear friend of close to fifty years.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a dear friend of ours" in formal writing, consider if "close friend" or "valued friend" might be more appropriate depending on the context.

Common error

Avoid confusing "ours" with "hers" or "his". "A dear friend of ours" indicates a friend shared by a group (including the speaker), while "a dear friend of mine" refers to a friend unique to the speaker.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a dear friend of ours" functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or object. It identifies or describes someone who is cherished and shares a bond with a group. Ludwig AI validates that this phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a dear friend of ours" is a grammatically correct way to refer to a shared, cherished friend. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. While primarily found in News & Media, its appropriateness depends on the formality of the context. Consider alternatives like "close friend" or "valued friend" for professional settings. It's important to note that "ours" indicates a shared friendship, not one belonging solely to the speaker. Using this information should enable writers to confidently and appropriately employ the phrase in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a close friend of ours

Replaces "dear" with "close", indicating a similar level of intimacy and affection.

a beloved friend of ours

Substitutes "dear" with "beloved", emphasizing the deep affection and fondness.

a cherished friend of ours

Replaces "dear" with "cherished", highlighting the value and importance of the friendship.

one of our dearest friends

Rephrases to emphasize the degree of affection, using a superlative.

a very good friend of ours

Uses "very good" instead of "dear" to indicate a strong friendship.

a valued friend of ours

Highlights the importance and esteem held for the friend.

someone we are very fond of

Expresses affection in a more descriptive way.

a pal of ours

Uses a more informal term, "pal", to denote friendship.

a comrade of ours

Implies shared experiences and camaraderie.

a confidant of ours

Highlights the trust and intimacy within the friendship.

FAQs

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

You can use "a dear friend of ours" to refer to someone who is a close friend shared by you and another person or group. For example, "We're hosting a party for "a dear friend of ours" who is moving to a new city".

What are some alternatives to saying "a dear friend of ours"?

Alternatives include "a close friend of ours", "a beloved friend of ours", or "a cherished friend of ours", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What is the difference between "a dear friend of mine" and "a dear friend of ours"?

"A dear friend of mine" indicates that the person is solely your friend, whereas ""a dear friend of ours"" indicates that the person is a mutual friend shared between you and at least one other person.

Is it appropriate to use "a dear friend of ours" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, ""a dear friend of ours"" may be too informal for certain professional contexts. Consider using "a close friend of ours" or "a valued colleague" instead if a more formal tone is desired.