a longtime friend of mine

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a longtime friend of mine" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a friend you have known for a significant period of time. Example: "I invited a longtime friend of mine to the party, and we had a great time reminiscing about old memories."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

"Gary is a longtime friend of mine and a superb pianist," Mr. Skrowaczewski said.

The New York Times - Arts

I was like, "Oh, really?" Gabe Sachs was a longtime friend of mine.

The New York Times - Arts

"He's an extraordinary, extraordinary human being as well as a longtime friend of mine," Mr. Clinton said after the announcement.

The New York Times

Once, after I posted on Twitter about my imminent appearance, a longtime friend of mine texted, "Jealous.

The New Yorker

Q. Dear Civil Behavior: I am going on a five-city tour overseas with a longtime friend of mine who happens to be gay (I am straight).

The New York Times

A longtime friend of mine, born and raised in Britain, was called "scum" by a taxi driver in London on Monday after she spoke to her children in Greek and Italian during their journey.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

"I got involved with this because Mickey Hart, a longtime friend of the family and of mine, called and said 'I'd love you to come and see it'," Gore explained.

The Washington Post

He was a longtime friend of Bill W.

The New York Times

Hudson is a longtime friend of both Patti Smith and Janet.

Cornell University

Dinkins, a longtime friend of Mr. McCall.

The New York Times

He had been a longtime friend of Jasper Johns's.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When introducing someone, use "a longtime friend of mine" to quickly establish a history and rapport. This can be especially effective in professional or formal settings.

Common error

While "a longtime friend of mine" is a useful phrase, avoid using it excessively in a single piece of writing. Vary your language by using more descriptive terms to characterize the friendship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a longtime friend of mine" functions as a descriptive appositive or modifier, introducing or identifying a person as someone with whom the speaker has shared a long-lasting friendship. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a longtime friend of mine" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that serves to introduce someone as a friend with whom you've had a lasting relationship. As Ludwig confirms, it's widely accepted and suitable for various contexts, particularly news and media. While versatile, avoid overusing the phrase and consider alternatives like "a long-standing friend of mine" in more formal settings. Be mindful of the context to ensure the tone is appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A long-standing friend of mine

Replaces 'longtime' with 'long-standing', offering a slightly more formal tone.

An old friend of mine

Uses 'old' instead of 'longtime', suggesting a friendship of considerable duration.

A close friend of many years

Emphasizes both the closeness and the duration of the friendship.

A friend I've known for years

Expresses the duration of the friendship more explicitly.

A friend I've been close to for a long time

Similar to the previous one, but rephrased to highlight the enduring closeness.

A longtime acquaintance of mine

Substitutes 'friend' with 'acquaintance', indicating a less intimate relationship.

Someone I've been friends with for ages

An informal alternative emphasizing the extended period of the friendship.

A friend from way back

An informal way to indicate a friendship that started long ago.

A pal from my early days

Implies a friendship that started in one's youth or earlier years.

A comrade from many years ago

Suggests a shared experience or activity that bonded the individuals years ago.

FAQs

What's a more formal alternative to "a longtime friend of mine"?

For a more formal tone, you could say "a long-standing friend of mine" or "a friend of many years".

Is it okay to use "a longtime friend of mine" in professional writing?

Yes, using "a longtime friend of mine" is acceptable in professional writing, especially when introducing a colleague or someone you have a well-established relationship with. However, ensure it's appropriate for the overall tone and context.

What's the difference between "a longtime friend of mine" and "an old friend of mine"?

"A longtime friend of mine" emphasizes the duration of the friendship, while "an old friend of mine" can sometimes imply both duration and that the individuals are older.

Can I say "a long time friend of mine" instead of "a longtime friend of mine"?

While understandable, "a long time friend of mine" is grammatically less common and may sound slightly awkward. It's generally better to use "a longtime friend of mine", where 'longtime' functions as a single adjective.