an old friend of ours

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an old friend of ours" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to refer to someone who is a mutual friend of both the speaker and the listener. Example sentence: "I ran into an old friend of ours at the grocery store yesterday and we caught up on old times."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

He was an old friend of ours, & we're going to miss him very much.

The New Yorker

Esceri Flea Market, Budapest, Hungary HUGH CROFT Hugh is an old friend of ours and a former monk.

Independent

An old friend of ours, now dead, a onetime frequenter of bars & other spots devoted to the humanizing graces, used to insist that spring arrived in N.Y. at the exact moment when the proprietor of a pool hall threw up the sash, allowing air to enter for the first time since October.

The New Yorker

"An old friend of ours," he recalls, "now dead, a one-time frequenter of bars and other spots devoted to the humanizing graces, used to insist that spring arrived in New York at the exact moment when the proprietor of the poolhall sauntered over to the window and threw up the sash, allowing air to enter for the first time since October.

The New Yorker

"He's an old friend of ours".

The New York Times

Tony was an old friend of ours so we had a few beers and he helped us make a list of names.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Our guide was an old friend of his, a woman who called herself the Kid.

The New Yorker

He's an old friend of mine.

The New Yorker

Mr Nabavi is an old friend of Mr Zanganeh.

The Economist

He is an old friend of Jammet's parents.

The New Yorker

I'm an old friend of Tomasina's.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Using the phrase "an old friend of ours" can signal trust and familiarity. It's a great way to introduce someone in a positive light, suggesting a long-standing and reliable relationship. In conversation, consider adding a brief anecdote about your shared history to further enrich the introduction.

Common error

Avoid using "an old friend of ours" when the audience is unlikely to know the person. If the person is not mutually known, it's better to simply say "an old friend" or provide more context to clarify the relationship and prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an old friend of ours" functions as a noun phrase, specifically acting as an appositive or a descriptive phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. It denotes a person with whom the speaker and the audience share a friendly relationship.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an old friend of ours" is a grammatically sound phrase used to identify someone known to both the speaker and the listener. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's prevalent in News & Media contexts, suggesting its broad applicability. When using this phrase, consider the audience’s familiarity with the person. While it generally carries a neutral tone, adapting your language to the specific context ensures clear and effective communication. Using suitable alternatives, such as "a longtime companion of ours", may be better for more formal environments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

someone near and dear to us for years

Emphasizes the emotional value and duration of the relationship.

a longtime companion of ours

Replaces "friend" with "companion" emphasizing camaraderie over a longer period.

a person we've been close to for ages

Replaces "friend" with "person we've been close to", highlighting emotional proximity over time.

someone we've known for years

Rephrases the idea of a "friend" as someone with whom the speaker has a prolonged relationship.

one of our oldest pals

Uses "pals" for a more informal tone, adding a sense of endearment.

a long-standing acquaintance of ours

Substitutes "friend" with "acquaintance", denoting a more formal but still familiar relationship.

a well-established connection of ours

Focuses on the bond's stability and length, perhaps used in slightly more formal contexts.

a person we've associated with for a long time

Expresses the relationship in terms of association, implying a possibly professional or less intimate connection.

an age-old associate of ours

Uses "associate" to signify a bond that may be professional or social, held over a long duration.

a familiar face to us

Focuses on the recognition and familiarity, changing the emphasis from the depth of the relationship to mere recognition.

FAQs

How can I use "an old friend of ours" in a sentence?

You can use "an old friend of ours" to introduce someone with whom you and your audience share a connection. For example, "Let's invite Sarah; she's "an old friend of ours" from college."

What's a more formal alternative to "an old friend of ours"?

If you need a more formal alternative, consider saying "a long-time acquaintance of ours" or "someone we've known for many years". These options are less casual while still conveying familiarity.

Is it appropriate to use "an old friend of ours" in professional settings?

While "an old friend of ours" is generally fine, consider your audience. In more formal business settings, "a long-time colleague" or "a trusted associate" may be more suitable.

What is the difference between "an old friend of ours" and "an old friend of mine"?

"An old friend of ours" implies the friend is known by both the speaker and the listener, creating a shared connection. "An old friend of mine" only indicates the speaker's relationship, without suggesting familiarity from the listener.