a mutual acquaintance

USAGE SUMMARY

'a mutual acquaintance' is a perfectly correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when two people (or groups of people) have a person or group in common that they both know. For example, you could say: "We found out we had a mutual acquaintance when we started talking about our hometown."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Through a mutual acquaintance, Tabibian sent him a message.

The New Yorker

You can always ask a mutual acquaintance to introduce you.

MIT Technology Review

But in 1997, she asked a mutual acquaintance about him.

The New York Times

A mutual acquaintance warned me, "He's grumpy and doesn't like dogs".

The New York Times

Ellison, spotting Hughes with a mutual acquaintance in the lobby of the Y, introduced himself.

The New Yorker

He had been following Novak for years and received endorsements through a mutual acquaintance.

The New York Times - Sports

Version one I was introduced to Lady Brittan by a mutual acquaintance in (insert date).

Independent

A mutual acquaintance, the casting director Fred Roos, had already mentioned her name as a possibility.

Independent

The men meet in a bar, introduced by a mutual acquaintance.

The New York Times

In June 2011, Hanson reached out to Cipriani, the card player, through a mutual acquaintance.

The Washington Post

She said he had dispatched a mutual acquaintance last January to approach her husband, Skiffington Holderness.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When introducing two people, use "a mutual acquaintance" to establish a sense of connection and shared social circle. This can help to ease initial interactions and build rapport.

Common error

Avoid using "a mutual acquaintance" if the relationship is more than just a casual acquaintance. If the person is a close friend to both parties, using "a mutual friend" is more appropriate and avoids downplaying the relationship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a mutual acquaintance" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its use in various contexts, confirming its established role in English grammar. The phrase indicates a shared connection between two or more parties through a third person.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Wiki

8%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a mutual acquaintance" is a frequently used noun phrase that signifies a shared connection between two or more people. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and appears most often in News & Media. Its purpose is to establish a shared social context, facilitating communication and understanding. While versatile, it's important to consider the depth of the relationship when choosing between "a mutual friend" and "a mutual acquaintance". By understanding these nuances, writers can effectively and accurately convey the nature of relationships in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

someone we're both acquainted with

Replaces the noun "acquaintance" with the verb form "acquainted with."

an acquaintance in common

Inverts the structure while keeping the core meaning intact.

a shared contact

Replaces "acquaintance" with "contact", emphasizing the connection aspect.

a contact we share

Focuses on the shared aspect of the contact, using simpler vocabulary.

a common friend

Substitutes "acquaintance" with the more intimate "friend", implying a closer relationship.

an associate known by each of us

Replaces "acquaintance" with "associate", suggesting a more professional or distant relationship.

a person we both know

Rephrases the concept with a more explicit and less formal structure.

someone known by both parties

Uses a more formal and descriptive wording to convey the same meaning.

an individual known to us both

Presents a more verbose and slightly more formal alternative.

a familiar face to both of us

Emphasizes recognition and familiarity.

FAQs

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

You can use "a mutual acquaintance" to describe a person known by two or more individuals. For example, "We discovered we both knew Sarah; she was "a mutual acquaintance"."

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

"A mutual friend" implies a closer, more personal relationship, while "a mutual acquaintance" suggests a more casual or distant connection. Choose the term that accurately reflects the relationship's depth.

What are some alternatives to saying "a mutual acquaintance"?

You could use phrases like "a shared contact", "a common friend", or "someone we both know" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

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

Yes, "a mutual acquaintance" is suitable for formal writing as it is a clear and professional way to describe a shared connection. However, consider the specific context and audience to ensure it aligns with the overall tone.