acquaint them with

USAGE SUMMARY

'acquaint them with' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when introducing someone to a new topic or concept. For example, "We need to acquaint the new employees with the health and safety protocols."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

Chevalier wondered whether Oppenheimer would like to avail himself of this opportunity to acquaint them with the bomb project.

Independent

That training, aside from its purely professional aspects, had been intended to acquaint them with the American political phil osophy.

The New York Times

Why not just give 40 million taxpayers a golden dollar each to acquaint them with the new coin?

The New York Times

It is my hope to share "Portraits of Grief" with them and to acquaint them with those faces and use their portraits as a springboard for writing.

The New York Times

Beginning this month the fellows will attend Industry 101 classes on Saturdays and some weekday afternoons to acquaint them with the business side of filmmaking.

The New York Times

To ovecome this, the college last fall began a fisheries and marine education program for high school seniors to acquaint them with the new career opportunities.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

In the first shot, the users fill a generic evaluation form, acquainting them with sites characteristics.

International Journal of Human-Computer Studies

Yesterday's attendance, 23,081, noisily acquainted them with their new status and overawed them in the first half.

The Guardian - Sport

Polytechnical education, which emphasizes familiarizing children with the important branches of production and acquainting them with first-hand practical experience, was widely introduced by Soviet educational advisers.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A new secular college, the Dār ol-Fonūn, was established for training a new cadre of administrators and acquainting them with Western techniques.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The episode pushed importers and shipping lines to diversify their points of entry and better acquainted them with the efficiencies of Savannah's port.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "acquaint them with", ensure that the subject is genuinely new or unfamiliar to the audience. It's most effective when introducing concepts, processes, or people for the first time.

Common error

Avoid using "acquaint them with" when the audience already possesses a basic understanding of the subject. Opt for phrases like "remind them of" or "elaborate on" to maintain clarity and relevance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "acquaint them with" functions as a transitive verb phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it indicates the action of making someone aware or familiar with something. It requires a direct object, representing the person(s) being acquainted, and is followed by "with" to introduce the subject of acquaintance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Academia

34%

Science

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "acquaint them with" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that means to make someone aware or familiar with something. According to Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, academic, and scientific domains. While versatile, it's important to use it appropriately, ensuring the subject is genuinely new to the audience to avoid redundancy. Alternatives like ""familiarize them with"" or ""introduce them to"" can offer nuanced alternatives depending on the intended message. Its authoritative sources, as listed by Ludwig, include The New York Times and several prestigious universities, solidifying its credibility and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

familiarize them with

Emphasizes making someone knowledgeable or comfortable with something.

introduce them to

Focuses on the initial presentation or making aware of something new.

inform them about

Highlights the act of conveying information.

apprise them of

A more formal way to say inform, often used in legal or official contexts.

make them aware of

Emphasizes bringing something to someone's attention.

brief them on

Suggests a concise explanation or summary.

enlighten them about

Implies providing deeper understanding or insight.

educate them on

Focuses on providing a structured learning experience.

update them on

Suggests providing the latest information or developments.

notify them of

Focuses on an official or formal announcement.

FAQs

What does "acquaint them with" mean?

The phrase "acquaint them with" means to make someone aware of or familiar with something. It implies an introduction to a new topic, person, or concept.

How can I use "acquaint them with" in a sentence?

You might say, "The training program will "familiarize them with" the new software" or "The orientation is designed to "introduce them to" company policies".

What are some alternatives to "acquaint them with"?

Alternatives include phrases like ""familiarize them with"", ""introduce them to"", or "inform them about", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "acquaint them with" formal or informal?

"Acquaint them with" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It is appropriate for professional and academic settings. In very casual contexts, simpler phrases like "tell them about" might be preferred.