a good friend of mine

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "a good friend of mine" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a distinguished friend of yours and their qualities. For example: "My neighbor is a good friend of mine; he's always there to listen when I have something to talk about."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"He was a good friend of mine.

The New Yorker

"He's a good friend of mine.

The New York Times - Sports

Obviously he's a good friend of mine.

The New York Times - Sports

A good friend of mine is quadriplegic.

The Guardian - Opinion

Jack Davenport's a good friend of mine.

The Guardian

"Nick is a good friend of mine," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

The guy inside is a good friend of mine.

Nature

Take an example of a good friend of mine.

The Guardian - Opinion

Whack Whack [Anthony] Indelicato was a good friend of mine.

The New York Times

"Yogi is a good friend of mine," Lamoriello said.

The New York Times - Sports

"The other boy [Lequeux] was a good friend of mine.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a good friend of mine", ensure the context clearly indicates why you are mentioning this person. Provide relevant details or anecdotes to illustrate the nature of the friendship and its importance to the topic at hand.

Common error

Don't just state someone is "a good friend of mine" without providing context. This can come across as name-dropping or lacking in substance. Always clarify the relevance of the friendship to the discussion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a good friend of mine" functions as a noun phrase used to identify and describe a person with whom the speaker has a friendly relationship. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase is commonly used to introduce someone or explain a relationship.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Academia

9%

Science & Research

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a good friend of mine" is a common and grammatically sound way to refer to someone with whom you share a friendly relationship. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is perfectly acceptable in written English and serves to establish a connection or relationship with the person being referenced. Its frequency is very high, especially in News & Media, making it a suitable choice for various contexts, while bearing in mind its informal tone. When using this phrase, ensure you provide sufficient context to clarify the importance of the friendship.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one of my best friends

Highlights a particularly strong friendship.

someone I'm good friends with

Rephrases the sentence to emphasize the reciprocal nature of the friendship.

someone I consider a good friend

Introduces a subjective element, emphasizing the speaker's perspective.

a close acquaintance of mine

Uses "acquaintance" instead of "friend", implying a slightly less intimate relationship.

a longtime friend of mine

Highlights the duration of the friendship.

a dear companion of mine

Replaces "friend" with "companion", suggesting a bond based on shared experiences.

a trusted confidant of mine

Emphasizes the trust and sharing of secrets in the friendship.

a pal of mine

Uses the informal term "pal" for friend.

a buddy of mine

Uses the informal term "buddy" for friend.

a valued colleague and friend

Adds the dimension of professional relationship to the friendship.

FAQs

What is the difference between "a good friend of mine" and "my good friend"?

While both phrases indicate a close relationship, "a good friend of mine" implies that the person is one among a group of good friends. "My good friend" is more direct and can emphasize a specific individual without necessarily implying a larger group of equally close friends.

Is it okay to use "a good friend of mine" in formal writing?

While acceptable, "a good friend of mine" leans towards informal language. In formal writing, consider using phrases like "a close colleague" or "a trusted associate" depending on the context.

What are some alternatives to "a good friend of mine"?

You can use alternatives like "a close friend", "a dear friend", or "one of my best friends" to express a similar sentiment.

How do I use "a good friend of mine" in a sentence?

You can use "a good friend of mine" to introduce someone or explain your connection to them. For example, "The project was led by "a personal friend of mine", who has extensive experience in the field."