a familiar structure to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a familiar structure to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something that has a recognizable or well-known format or arrangement. Example: "The novel follows a familiar structure to many classic stories, making it easy for readers to engage with the plot."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

This mixture meant that the artists could interact efficiently — they had a familiar structure to fall back on — but they also managed to incorporate some new ideas.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Since I was trained in a resident theater (the Yale Rep), my first order of business at Jujamcyn was to set up a familiar structure, with a resident dramaturge, a resident director and a group of subsidized, in-house producers.

The New York Times

Signs of life stirred inside a familiar structure in the southeastern corner of Madison Square Park.

The New York Times

After 21 years the annual summits have a familiar structure even though each takes place in a difference country.

The Guardian

A print newspaper (say the Indy) has a familiar structure: news home and away, opinion, cartoons, pictures, puzzles, the arts, business and sport.

The Guardian

The wall in the West Bank, despite being twice as high and four times as long, is not such a familiar structure.

The Guardian - Books

Et. Tick tock?" It's a great comic flourish that spins self-serious rhetoric with a familiar structure into goofy, giddy gibberish.

The New York Times - Arts

But games like Petscop — the simplistic puzzle platformers of my youth — have a familiar structure: you start at point A, you solve puzzles, defeat bosses, and, ultimately, inevitably, you arrive at point B. As Paul continues to play, it seems clear that Petscop abides by that structure.

The New Yorker

Data from these studies usually have a two-level structure of patients within hospitals, a familiar structure in epidemiological studies [ 12, 13].

BMC Medical Research Methodology

According to Randy Lewis of Los Angeles Times, the familiar structure contributes to the song's catchiness, making it what others have called an earworm.

Wikipedia

We might still love the idea of sitting down to a meal with familiar structure, where food is served to please you rather than dazzle you.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a familiar structure to", ensure that the structure you are referencing is genuinely well-known to your target audience to avoid confusion or misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "a familiar structure to" when the structure is only familiar to a niche group. Instead, specify the context or audience for whom it is familiar.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a familiar structure to" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun, indicating that something adheres to a known or recognizable pattern. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a familiar structure to" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe something that follows a recognizable format, as validated by Ludwig AI. While its frequency is rare, it finds applications in various contexts, including News & Media and Science. When using this phrase, ensure the referenced structure is genuinely well-known to your audience. Consider alternatives like "a recognizable format" or "a well-known arrangement" for nuanced emphasis. Always avoid overstating the familiarity of a structure to prevent confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a recognizable format

Focuses on the format being easily identified.

a well-known arrangement

Emphasizes the arrangement as being commonly known.

a typical pattern

Highlights the commonality of the pattern.

a standard layout

Stresses the conventional nature of the layout.

a common framework

Underlines the shared framework or model.

a conventional organization

Emphasizes the traditional organization method.

a recognizable design

Highlights the design's easy identifiability.

a typical configuration

Focuses on the usual configuration or setup.

a standard model

Highlights that something follows a widely accepted template or example.

a common design

Emphasizes that something follows a widely accepted template or example.

FAQs

How can I use "a familiar structure to" in a sentence?

You can use "a familiar structure to" to describe something that follows a recognizable pattern or format. For instance, "The novel follows a familiar structure to many classic stories".

What are some alternatives to "a familiar structure to"?

Alternatives include "a recognizable format", "a well-known arrangement", or "a typical pattern" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "a familiar structure" or "a familiar structure to"?

The choice depends on the context. "A familiar structure" describes the structure itself as familiar, while "a familiar structure to" indicates that the structure is familiar to a specific group or context. For instance, "It follows a familiar structure" versus "It follows "a familiar structure to" classical music".

When should I avoid using "a familiar structure to"?

Avoid using it when the structure is not genuinely well-known to your intended audience, as it may lead to confusion. In such cases, provide more context or use a more descriptive phrase.