a great friend of mine

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "a great friend of mine" is correct and usable in written English.
For example, you can use it in a sentence such as: "Jill has always been a great friend of mine."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

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

Louie is a great friend of mine.

The Guardian

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

Podolak said: "Jan's a great friend of mine, and I'm sorry it pains him so.

The New York Times - Sports

"Mickey's a great friend of mine so why not get him involved?" Webster explains.

Independent

And Capote on Faulkner: "He was a great friend of mine.

The New Yorker

I want to thank a great friend of mine Congressman Jason Smith.

The Washington Post

Mr. Trump replies, "He's a great man, and he's a great friend of mine".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a great friend of mine", ensure that the context clearly indicates a close, meaningful relationship. It's most effective when expressing genuine appreciation and affection.

Common error

Avoid using "a great friend of mine" in overly formal or professional settings where a more neutral term like "colleague" or "associate" might be more appropriate. Using the phrase in the wrong context can come off as unprofessional.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a great friend of mine" functions as a subjective complement. It describes and characterizes a person the speaker knows well and holds in high regard. The examples provided by Ludwig showcase this descriptive function across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

15%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a great friend of mine" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a close, valued relationship. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s perfectly acceptable in written English. It is most frequently used in News & Media and Academic contexts, expressing affection and admiration. While versatile, it is best to avoid using in highly formal situations. Consider alternatives like "a close friend of mine" or "a dear friend of mine" to better fit the specific context or nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a wonderful friend of mine

Replaces "great" with "wonderful", suggesting a feeling of admiration and appreciation.

a fantastic friend of mine

Uses "fantastic" instead of "great", emphasizing the exceptional qualities of the friendship.

a dear friend of mine

Employs "dear" instead of "great", indicating affection and closeness.

a close friend of mine

Substitutes "great" with "close", highlighting the intimacy and bond in the relationship.

a cherished friend of mine

Replaces "great" with "cherished", underscoring the value and importance of the friend.

a valued friend of mine

Uses "valued" instead of "great", conveying the importance and appreciation of the friendship.

a longtime friend of mine

Replaces "great" with "longtime", emphasizing the duration of the friendship.

a true friend of mine

Substitutes "great" with "true", highlighting the loyalty and reliability of the friend.

a good friend of mine

Replaces "great" with "good", offering a more general and understated expression of friendship.

an old friend of mine

Uses "old" instead of "great", emphasizing the length and history of the friendship.

FAQs

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

You can use "a great friend of mine" to describe someone you have a close and meaningful relationship with. For example, "She's "a great friend of mine", and I value her advice."

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

Alternatives include "a close friend of mine", "a dear friend of mine", or "a wonderful friend of mine". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "a good friend of mine" or "a great friend of mine"?

Both "a good friend of mine" and "a great friend of mine" are acceptable. "Great" implies a deeper level of appreciation and closeness than "good".

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "a great friend of mine"?

It might be inappropriate in very formal or professional settings where a more neutral term, such as "colleague" or "associate", would be more suitable.