a personal friend of mine

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a personal friend of mine" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to someone who is a close friend to you. Example sentence: My brother is a personal friend of mine who I have known for many years.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

"The guy's a personal friend of mine".

The New Yorker

"The guy's a personal friend of mine," Pecker said.

The New Yorker

"Mr. Alibozek was not a personal friend of mine," he said.

The New York Times

Not only for him and Detroit, but Larry Brown -- he's a personal friend of mine.

The New York Times - Sports

"Mr. Alibozek was not a personal friend of mine," he added.

The New York Times

He did it, he said, because "the guy's a personal friend of mine".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Joyce, a personal friend of the mining magnate who is Australia's richest woman, said he made a point of not talking to the mining magnate or her staff about the bid.

The Guardian - Business

Adam Kinzinger is a close personal friend of mine who's an active duty member of Congress [in the district] next door to me and so I think that's why you saw the consistency".

Huffington Post

Ridley Scott's middling Prometheus may not have been the Phantom Menace of Alien prequels, but compared with Neill Blomkamp's uber fan-friendly pitch for a belated sequel to 1986's Aliens starring Sigourney Weaver and Michael "I wanna introduce you to a very personal friend of mine" Biehn, it might as well have been.

The Guardian - Film

Since then I've seen him countless times both in New York and Las Vegas, and now, as they say in showbiz circles, he's a close, personal friend of mine.

Huffington Post

Larry is a fantastic writer and a real close personal friend of mine.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "a personal friend of mine" to clearly indicate a close, valued relationship with someone. It's particularly effective when you want to emphasize the personal connection in a professional or public context.

Common error

Avoid overusing "a personal friend of mine" in close succession, as it can sound repetitive or insincere. Vary your language by using alternative expressions like "a close acquaintance" or "someone I'm personally close to".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a personal friend of mine" functions as a noun phrase, specifically identifying and emphasizing a close relationship. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used to denote a close connection.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a personal friend of mine" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to highlight a close, valued relationship. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's generally correct and common in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While there are no major grammatical pitfalls, it's advisable to avoid overuse for stylistic reasons. Alternatives such as "a close acquaintance of mine" or "someone I consider a close friend" can provide variety while maintaining a similar meaning. Using this phrase correctly helps underscore the personal connection, adding depth to your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a dear friend of mine

Adds "dear" to indicate affection and closeness in the friendship.

someone I consider a close friend

Rephrases to emphasize the speaker's perspective and feeling of closeness.

an intimate friend of mine

Replaces "personal" with "intimate", highlighting a deep and private connection.

a trusted confidant of mine

Highlights the trust and sharing of secrets within the friendship.

a close acquaintance of mine

Replaces "friend" with "acquaintance", suggesting a slightly less intimate relationship.

someone I'm personally close to

Emphasizes the personal connection and closeness without using the word "friend".

a good companion of mine

Substitutes "friend" with "companion", emphasizing shared activities and camaraderie.

a buddy of mine

Uses the informal term "buddy", indicating a casual and friendly relationship.

a valued colleague and friend of mine

Specifies that the person is both a colleague and a friend, adding professional context.

a long-time associate of mine

Uses "associate" instead of "friend", implying a relationship built over time, possibly professionally.

FAQs

What does it mean to call someone "a personal friend of mine"?

It means you share a close, often private connection with that person, distinguishing them from mere acquaintances or professional contacts.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a personal friend of mine"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize the depth and personal nature of your relationship, especially in situations where the connection might not be immediately obvious or relevant.

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

You can use alternatives like "a close acquaintance of mine", "a dear friend of mine", or "someone I consider a close friend" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "a friend of mine" and "a personal friend of mine"?

Adding "personal" emphasizes a deeper, more intimate connection, suggesting a relationship that extends beyond casual or superficial interactions.