a friend to all

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a friend to all" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is friendly and approachable to everyone, often in a positive context. Example: "She is known as a friend to all, always ready to lend a helping hand to those in need."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A friend to all he met.

The New York Times

"I'm a friend to all athletes, everywhere," he said, beaming.

The New York Times - Sports

He was a friend to all who knew him.

The New York Times

She is a friend to all and a sister to every other dog.

Stanford University

Last week he was more conciliatory, saying he would act as "a friend to all Chileans".

The Economist

A generous and kind man, and a friend to all who knew him.

The New York Times

She was a friend to all and will be sorely missed.

The New York Times

"He was a friend to all," said his daughter Donna Mercurio.

The New York Times

We will never forget you, you were a friend to all of us.

The New York Times

Vic was a friend to all and a mentor to so many.

The New York Times

He was a friend to all and will be sorely missed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid overuse; while positive, the phrase can become cliché. Consider alternative descriptions to convey approachability and kindness.

Common error

Don't assume that being "a friend to all" means everyone inherently likes the person. It simply means they extend friendliness widely, not that it's always reciprocated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a friend to all" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as a descriptive attribute of a person or entity. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage. Examples show it denoting someone who is kind, approachable and well-liked by everyone.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

7%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a friend to all" is a widely used and grammatically sound expression that describes someone who is kind, approachable, and generally well-liked. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is common across various sources, including news media and academic texts, denoting a positive attribute. While generally neutral, its formality can increase in contexts such as obituaries. Be mindful of potential clichés and strive for genuine inclusivity when using this phrase. It's also vital to remember that it suggests widespread friendliness, not necessarily universal approval.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Friendly to everyone

Replaces "all" with "everyone", emphasizing individual relationships rather than an abstract collective.

Welcoming to all

Shifts the focus from active friendship to creating a welcoming environment for everyone.

Approachable to all

Highlights the ease with which people can interact with the subject, emphasizing accessibility.

Kind to everyone

Focuses on the benevolent aspect of the person's nature, rather than just their sociability.

A companion to all

Emphasizes shared experiences and mutual support, changing the dynamic from mere friendliness.

Liked by everyone

Focuses on the positive feelings others have towards the subject, a passive reception of affection.

A favorite of all

Indicates a higher degree of fondness than simple friendship, suggesting a position of special regard.

In good terms with everyone

Highlights amicable and cooperative relationships while being less emphatic than QUERY.

Universally liked

Changes the perspective to a more detached assessment of the individual's popularity.

A people person

Uses an idiomatic expression to describe someone who enjoys being around people, a conceptual difference.

FAQs

How can I use "a friend to all" in a sentence?

You can use "a friend to all" to describe someone known for their kindness and approachability, like "She was remembered as "a friend to all", always ready to help others."

What are some alternatives to "a friend to all"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "friendly to everyone", "welcoming to all", or "kind to everyone".

Is it better to be "a friend to all" or to have a few close friends?

Neither is inherently "better." Being "a friend to all" emphasizes broad amiability, while having close friends focuses on deep, meaningful connections. The best approach depends on individual preferences and values.

Can "a friend to all" also be "a friend to none"?

The saying "a friend to all is a friend to none" suggests that spreading oneself too thin can prevent forming genuine, deep relationships. While it's possible to be "a friend to all" in a superficial way, it doesn't necessarily preclude having close friends.