a limited acquaintance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a limited acquaintance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone has only a small or superficial knowledge of a person or subject. Example: "Although we have a limited acquaintance, I appreciate the insights you've shared with me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Because of his brief career in politics, Cleveland had only a limited acquaintance with leaders of his own party.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

His limited acquaintance with business was through his father's and uncle's large holdings of property in Prague, which were expropriated when young Vaclav was 12.Anyone regarding Mr Havel as too idealistic or too Bohemian for grubby politics soon learned otherwise.

The Economist

Such a system may be restricted to a small set of familiar messages that can be read by a limited circle of acquaintances.

Britannica

We then investigate by way of Monte Carlo simulations the case where each newborn chooses as his/her exemplar the most highly skilled individual from among a limited number of acquaintances.

Theoretical Population Biology

She had no known family members in NYC and a limited number of close acquaintances.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

The largest number of respondents to The Times/CBS News poll, 44percentt, said sharing music files over the Internet was sometimes acceptable, if a person shared music from a purchased CD with a limited number of friends or acquaintances.

The New York Times

Fourteen percent, not 18percentt, said it was always acceptable to share music online; 44percentt, not 45percentt, said it was sometimes acceptable if the sharing was among a limited number of friends or acquaintances, one of whom owned the CD.

The New York Times

Thus, Gertler (2012) endorses the acquaintance approach for a limited class of introspective judgments, and leaves it open whether there could be other sources of noninferential justification.

SEP

It is a limited glimpse.

The New York Times

Yes, to a limited extent.

The Economist

— in only a "limited" fashion.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a limited acquaintance", ensure the context clearly indicates what the limitation refers to – is it knowledge, familiarity, or the depth of a relationship?

Common error

Avoid using "a limited acquaintance" when describing someone you know very well. The phrase suggests a superficial or minimal connection.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a limited acquaintance" functions as a noun phrase, with "limited" modifying the noun "acquaintance". It describes the extent or degree of familiarity someone has with a person, subject, or concept. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a limited acquaintance" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe a superficial or minimal connection with someone or something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usefulness. It's often found in news articles, scientific publications, and encyclopedias, showcasing its versatility across different contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the limitation—whether it applies to knowledge, familiarity, or the depth of a relationship. While similar phrases like "superficial familiarity" or "passing knowledge" can be used as alternatives, it's essential to maintain a neutral tone and avoid overstating the degree of connection.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight familiarity

Indicates a small degree of awareness or understanding.

a superficial familiarity

Emphasizes the lack of depth in the knowledge or relationship.

a cursory acquaintance

Implies a hasty and not very thorough familiarity.

a passing knowledge

Highlights the brief and fleeting nature of the understanding.

a nodding acquaintance

Suggests a minimal level of recognition without deeper connection.

a basic understanding

Focuses on possessing only the fundamental knowledge of a subject or person.

a distant acquaintance

Stresses the lack of closeness in the relationship.

a brief interaction

Highlights the short duration of contact or relationship.

a formal acquaintance

Indicates a relationship based on professional or social conventions, lacking intimacy.

minimal contact

Emphasizes the infrequency and brevity of interactions.

FAQs

How can I use "a limited acquaintance" in a sentence?

You can use "a limited acquaintance" to describe a superficial or minimal connection with someone or something. For example: "Because of his brief career in politics, Cleveland had only "a limited acquaintance" with leaders of his own party."

What's the difference between "a limited acquaintance" and "a close friend"?

"A limited acquaintance" implies a superficial or minimal connection, while "a close friend" suggests a deep, intimate relationship. They represent opposite ends of a spectrum of relationships.

What can I say instead of "a limited acquaintance"?

You can use alternatives like "superficial familiarity", "passing knowledge", or "slight familiarity" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a limited acquaintance" in formal writing?

Yes, "a limited acquaintance" is appropriate for formal writing. It's a clear and concise way to describe the extent of one's familiarity with a subject or person.