all to familiar

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "all to familiar" is not correct; it should be "all too familiar." You can use it when describing something that is excessively or painfully familiar, often in a negative context.
Example: "The feeling of disappointment was all too familiar after yet another failed attempt."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Cue a flurry of cards, and the World Cup becoming the, by now, all to familiar drudge in the knock out stages, blighted by histrionics and diving.

BBC

The spirits of the majority of the 18,000 near-capacity crowd had already not only been dampened by a dreich Edinburgh downpour but the kind of abject display all to familiar from the men in green and white this season.

BBC

In America's wars, the pattern of you use a drone, I plant an IED is all to familiar.

HuffPost

We, as in "the West," have been slogging about in Afghanistan for a long time, and it feels like the war-torn country, its people and the lives they lead seem all to familiar to us.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

As their seasons end, their faces seem to melt, too, in an all-to-familiar scene of sorrow that blends into a kind of blank disbelieving stare.

The Washington Post

While other investors follow the all-to-familiar steps to destroy wealth during volatility, long-term investors with proper allocations can brush off the hyperbolic headlines, forget about forecasts and stick to the long-term plan.

Forbes

With his additional screen time, things are looking familiar and predictable in this space of all-to-familiar, and all-to-predictable fantasy sloths.

Vice

While this narrative has appeared in many forms elsewhere, its comprehensive, yet fluid presentation is useful for locals all-to-familiar with its specifics, and especially to those from afar previously unfamiliar with the pol with funny-sounding name, a pompadour and a penchant for Elvis.

Huffington Post

I'm all-to familiar with that feeling of despair and anxiety, of sheer and utter pain and panic, that it really hit home for me, as I know it does for others.

Forbes

Then he returns to the road, avoiding all signposts to familiar places.

The New Yorker

All the songs are set to familiar tunes.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the correct form, "all too familiar", to ensure grammatical accuracy and credibility in your writing. Remember, 'too' indicates 'excessively'.

Common error

Avoid using "to" instead of "too" in the phrase. "To" indicates direction or purpose, while "too" means 'excessively'. Using "all to familiar" changes the meaning and creates a grammatical error.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all to familiar" is intended to function as an adjective, modifying a noun by describing the extent of its familiarity. However, it's grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI indicates the correct form is "all too familiar."

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "all to familiar" is a grammatically incorrect version of "all too familiar". As Ludwig AI points out, the correct phrasing should use "too", which signifies 'excessively'. While the intent is to describe something as overly or unpleasantly familiar, the incorrect grammar significantly weakens the phrase's impact and credibility. It's essential to use the correct form, "all too familiar", to ensure clear and accurate communication. Remember that alternatives such as "very well-known" or "commonly experienced" can also be used depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

all too familiar

Corrected version of the original phrase, emphasizing excessive familiarity.

very well-known

Replaces "familiar" with "well-known" and omits "all to", focusing on widespread knowledge.

commonly experienced

Highlights the frequency of the experience rather than the level of familiarity.

frequently encountered

Similar to "commonly experienced" but with a slightly more formal tone.

often seen

Simple and direct way to express frequent observation.

a common occurrence

Focuses on the event itself being frequent, rather than the familiarity with it.

nothing new

Informal way of expressing that something is not surprising or unfamiliar.

a familiar sight

Specifically refers to visual familiarity.

old hat

Idiomatic expression meaning something is outdated or uninteresting due to its familiarity.

been there, done that

Expresses that something is already personally experienced and therefore not new or surprising.

FAQs

What is the correct way to write "all to familiar"?

The correct way to write it is "all too familiar". The word "too" indicates 'excessively' or 'also', whereas "to" indicates direction.

What does "all too familiar" mean?

It means something is excessively or unpleasantly familiar. It implies a negative connotation, suggesting the familiarity is unwelcome.

How can I use "all too familiar" in a sentence?

Example: "The feeling of disappointment was "all too familiar" after yet another failed attempt."

What can I say instead of "all to familiar"?

Since "all to familiar" is incorrect, use alternatives like ""all too familiar"", "very well-known", or "commonly experienced".