a slight acquaintance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slight acquaintance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a person you know only a little or have limited familiarity with. Example: "Although we are only a slight acquaintance, I appreciate your kindness during our brief interactions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

I have interviewed Kennedy several times over the years, so we have a slight acquaintance.

The New York Times

Even a "slight acquaintance with numbers," Malthus wrote, was enough to appreciate the "immensity" of the mismatch.

The New Yorker

A slight acquaintance of Lucan's, Dr. Joseph Murray, expresses this view twenty-five years later: **{:.break one} ** The police were slow.

The New Yorker

This can lead, despite the erudition of everyone involved, to a slight "Buddhism for Dummies" feeling — it seems unlikely that anyone who has even a slight acquaintance with the Buddha and his teachings will learn much here.

The New York Times - Arts

On the basis of a slight acquaintance, he volunteered to design her a house, never built, whose main features were a glass-walled swimming pool surrounded by corridors for viewing her body at exercise, and an exterior in vibrant black-and-white stripes which may have represented his wish to mingle his European restraint with her African-American energy.

The Guardian - Arts

She lives in Manhattan, and might have become one of many self-sufficient, single city women were it not for Paul Simmons, a divorced fellow "do-gooder" -- he works for a foundation that supports cancer research -- with whom she has a slight acquaintance.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Stereotypical kidnappings are the particular type of nonfamily abduction that receives the most media attention and involves a stranger or slight acquaintance who detains the child overnight, transports the child at least 50 miles, holds the child for ransom, abducts the child with intent to keep the child permanently, or kills the child.

Huffington Post

The New Yorker, August 15 , 1936P. 9 A lady who has some slight acquaintance with Mrs. Roosevelt dropped in at the White House to pay her a call.

The New Yorker

By Sylvia Wallan and Russell Maloney The New Yorker, August 15 , 1936P. 9 A lady who has some slight acquaintance with Mrs. Roosevelt dropped in at the White House to pay her a call.

The New Yorker

As well as I could make out from our admittedly slight acquaintance, he was a happy man, at home in the high-bohemian world where he passed his life, a world where art and literature and talent and money were all mixed together.

The New York Times - Books

In July , 1946 a 19-year-old comic pantomimist born Jerome Levitch and a 29-year-old Italian crooner born Dino Crocetti, who had a slight previous acquaintance based on common friends and a couple of shared bookings, teamed up as a singing comedy act at the 500 Club on the boardwalk in Atlantic City.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a slight acquaintance", ensure the context clearly indicates the limited nature of the relationship to avoid misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the closeness of a relationship when describing someone as "a slight acquaintance". This phrase indicates minimal familiarity, so ensure your description aligns with this.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slight acquaintance" functions as a noun phrase that describes the level of familiarity between two people. It indicates a minimal or superficial level of knowing someone. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a slight acquaintance" is a grammatically correct and usable English expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, that signifies a minimal level of familiarity between individuals. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the context accurately reflects the superficial nature of the relationship. Consider alternatives like "a casual acquaintance" or "a passing acquaintance" to fine-tune the meaning based on the specific situation. Remember to avoid exaggerating the closeness of the relationship when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a casual acquaintance

Replaces "slight" with "casual", emphasizing the lack of deep connection.

a passing acquaintance

Uses "passing" to suggest a brief and transient connection.

a nodding acquaintance

Implies a level of familiarity limited to exchanging nods.

a superficial acquaintance

Highlights the shallow nature of the relationship.

a tenuous connection

Focuses on the fragility and weakness of the link between people.

a distant acquaintance

Emphasizes the emotional or social distance between individuals.

a brief acquaintance

Indicates the limited duration of the interaction.

a limited familiarity

Shifts the focus to the degree of knowledge one person has about another.

a formal introduction

Describes the starting point of an acquaintance, often without further development.

a surface-level contact

Highlights minimal interaction and lack of depth.

FAQs

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

You can use "a slight acquaintance" to describe someone you know only a little. For example, "I only have "a slight acquaintance" with the new manager, but she seems friendly".

What are some alternatives to "a slight acquaintance"?

Alternatives to "a slight acquaintance" include "a casual acquaintance", "a passing acquaintance", or "a nodding acquaintance".

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

Yes, "a slight acquaintance" is appropriate in formal writing when you need to accurately describe a limited or superficial relationship.

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

"A slight acquaintance" implies a minimal level of familiarity, whereas "a close friend" indicates a deep and meaningful connection. They represent opposite ends of the relationship spectrum.