be familiar with

USAGE SUMMARY

"be familiar with" is a valid expression in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe someone's experience or understanding of something. For example: "The professor was familiar with the scientific literature on the subject."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

* Be familiar with the warranty.

The New York Times

You need not be familiar with Python.

University of California, Berkeley

Be familiar with the intern's Learning Covenant.

Yale University

Be familiar with their building evacuation routes.

Columbia University

You may be familiar with the shtick.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But surely she'd be familiar with trolls?

The Guardian - Film

You will be familiar with the premise.

The Guardian

Be familiar with the information in Maintaining F-1 status.

Columbia University

Students should be familiar with introductory biology and chemistry.

Stanford University

You should be familiar with Java or C++.

University of California, Berkeley

Students are expected to be familiar with MATLAB.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be familiar with" to set expectations in instructions or guidelines. It indicates a prerequisite understanding that the audience should possess.

Common error

Avoid assuming that your audience is already familiar with a topic. Provide background information or links to resources to ensure everyone is on the same page.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be familiar with" functions as a directive or descriptive phrase, often used to indicate a required level of understanding or prior knowledge. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples demonstrating its widespread use across diverse contexts. It highlights the importance of possessing the necessary expertise or awareness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

33%

Wiki

21%

News & Media

16%

Less common in

Science

16%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be familiar with" is a versatile phrase used to express the importance of having knowledge or experience in a specific area. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and very common across diverse fields such as academia, news, science, and general knowledge. When using this phrase, remember to clarify the extent of familiarity needed and avoid assuming prior knowledge from your audience. Consider alternatives like "have knowledge of" or "be acquainted with" to add specific nuances. With its broad applicability, mastering the use of "be familiar with" enhances clarity in both writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have experience with

This suggests practical involvement or exposure to the subject, rather than just theoretical knowledge.

have knowledge of

This alternative suggests a more formal and academic understanding of the subject.

be no stranger to

Indicates that something is not new or unfamiliar to the person.

be acquainted with

This implies a more personal or social familiarity, rather than a purely intellectual one.

be well-versed in

Emphasizes a more complete and comprehensive knowledge.

be conversant with

This indicates a fluency and ease in discussing the subject, suggesting practical experience.

understand thoroughly

Focuses on the depth of comprehension rather than familiarity.

be versed in

This implies a deep and thorough understanding, often in a specialized field.

know inside and out

Suggests a very detailed and intimate knowledge.

be aware of

Implies a basic understanding or consciousness of something, rather than deep expertise.

FAQs

How can I use "be familiar with" in a sentence?

You can use "be familiar with" to indicate that someone has knowledge or experience about something. For example, "You should "be familiar with" the safety guidelines before operating the machinery".

What are some alternatives to "be familiar with"?

Alternatives include "have knowledge of", "be acquainted with", or "have experience with", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "be familiar with" or "know about"?

"Be familiar with" implies a level of experience or understanding that goes beyond simply knowing about something. "Know about" suggests a more basic awareness, while ""be familiar with"" suggests a working knowledge.

Which is correct: "be familiar with" or "become familiar with"?

Both are correct, but they have different meanings. "Be familiar with" suggests a current state of knowledge, while "become familiar with" indicates a process of gaining knowledge.