a familiar face

USAGE SUMMARY

"a familiar face" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe someone you recognize, such as "When I saw him at the store, it was a familiar face from my childhood."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Film

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He has a familiar face.

The Guardian - Film

"He was just a familiar face.

Independent

For them, misery is a familiar face.

The New York Times

Then a familiar face shows up.

The New York Times

It may well be a familiar face.

The New York Times

Attend events and become a familiar face.

The Guardian

Ah, but there's a familiar face: Quinn!

The Guardian - TV & Radio

A Familiar Face Here come the Rams.

The New York Times - Sports

And then I saw a familiar face.

The New Yorker

Baghdatis has become a familiar face to Isner.

The New York Times

But in the end, the winner was a familiar face.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a familiar face" when you want to convey that someone is recognizable, but not necessarily a close acquaintance. For example, "The new CEO was a familiar face around the office, having worked in various departments for years."

Common error

Avoid using "a familiar face" when referring to close friends or family. The phrase implies recognition, not necessarily intimacy. Instead of saying, "My mother was a familiar face at the school", consider "My mother was well-known at the school".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a familiar face" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often used as a subject or object within a sentence. Ludwig examples show it describing someone recognizable. This phrase often introduces or highlights a known person in a narrative.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Sports

7%

Film

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a familiar face" is a commonly used phrase that describes someone who is easily recognized. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in various contexts, particularly in news and media, sports, and film as highlighted by Ludwig examples. While versatile, it's best used to describe someone recognizable but not necessarily intimately known. Alternatives include "a recognizable person" or "a well-known figure". This phrase carries a neutral register, making it suitable for diverse writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a person I recognize

Focuses on the act of recognition without implying intimacy.

a recognizable person

Focuses on the ease of identifying the person.

a face I've seen before

Simple and direct way to say you have seen the person previously.

someone I know well

Highlights the speaker's personal acquaintance with the individual.

a well-known figure

Emphasizes the person's public recognition and reputation.

a frequent presence

Emphasizes regular encounters with the person.

a common sight

Highlights how often one sees the person.

someone often seen

Directly indicates the person's frequent visibility.

a face from the past

Implies the person is known from a previous time or event.

a welcomed guest

Emphasizes the positive reception and recognition of an individual.

FAQs

How can I use "a familiar face" in a sentence?

You can use "a familiar face" to describe someone you recognize. For example: "Among the strangers, I spotted "a familiar face" from my old neighborhood."

What is a similar phrase to "a familiar face"?

Similar phrases include "a recognizable person", "a well-known figure", or "someone I know well" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a familiar face" in formal writing?

Yes, "a familiar face" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing. Its usage depends more on the context than the formality of the writing.

What does it mean when someone is described as "a familiar face"?

When someone is described as "a familiar face", it means they are recognizable, often from previous encounters or from being commonly seen in a particular setting.