a great friend of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a great friend of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who has a strong friendship or bond with another person. Example: "She has always been a great friend of mine, supporting me through thick and thin."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Jenna's a great friend of mine.

The New York Times

He was a great friend of mine.

Princeton University

"Rio is a great friend of mine.

The Guardian - Sport

He became a great friend of Jo's.

The Guardian

Louie is a great friend of mine.

The Guardian

He was a great friend of Argo.

The New York Times

Vinnie, he said, was a great friend of his.

The Guardian

"Issy was a great friend of both Tim and myself.

The Guardian - Arts

He describes president Karzai as a "great friend of mine".

The Guardian

"He's a great friend of mine and a great guy".

The New York Times

He liked it, obviously (he's a great friend of Cable's).

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "a great friend of" to emphasize a strong, positive connection between two individuals or an individual and an organization. It conveys warmth and admiration.

Common error

While "a great friend of" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in formal writing. Opt for more professional alternatives like "a close associate" or "a trusted colleague" in business or academic settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a great friend of" functions as a descriptor, highlighting a strong and positive relationship between individuals or between a person and an entity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound expression used to denote a significant bond.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a great friend of" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a strong, positive relationship. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and its frequent use across news, media, and academic contexts underscores its broad applicability. While suitable for general use, it's important to consider more formal alternatives like "close associate" in professional settings. The phrase serves primarily to express warmth and admiration for the bond between individuals or entities, emphasizing the positive attributes of the friendship or connection.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a dear friend of

Emphasizes affection and fondness in the friendship.

a devoted friend of

Emphasizes loyalty and dedication in the friendship.

a trusted confidant of

Indicates a relationship built on trust and sharing of secrets.

a close associate of

Focuses more on professional or working relationships rather than personal friendship.

a good companion to

Highlights companionship and shared experiences more than deep friendship.

a longtime ally of

Stresses a history of support and collaboration.

a buddy to

Conveys a casual and informal sense of friendship.

a pal of

Similar to "buddy", this is an informal term for a friend.

a staunch supporter of

Highlights support and advocacy rather than personal connection.

a comrade of

Suggests a shared struggle or goal, often used in political or military contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "a great friend of" in a sentence?

You can use "a great friend of" to describe someone's close relationship. For example, "He is "a great friend of" the family and has always been there for us."

What are some alternatives to "a great friend of"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "a close friend of", "a dear friend of", or "a longtime ally of".

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

While generally acceptable, consider more formal alternatives like "a close associate" or "a trusted colleague" in professional or academic contexts.

What's the difference between "a great friend of" and "a good friend of"?

"A great friend of" implies a stronger and more significant bond than "a good friend of". It suggests a deeper level of connection and appreciation.