be unfamiliar with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be unfamiliar with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating a lack of knowledge or experience regarding a particular subject or topic. Example: "Many students may be unfamiliar with the advanced concepts presented in the course."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The workers would be unfamiliar with computers.

The New York Times - Tech

Pettine comes from the Rex Ryan coaching tree, so he shouldn't be unfamiliar with distractions.

The Guardian - Sport

But the world may be unfamiliar with a Mumbai variation on the theme: the hunger cafe.

The New York Times

American readers may be unfamiliar with a few of the other people pictured.

The New Yorker

S: I think the average Australian would be unfamiliar with most of the issues.

The Guardian

At one point, she claimed to be unfamiliar with "child support" as a phrase.

The New Yorker

Panelists were incredulous that a seasoned astronaut could be unfamiliar with basic weightlessness.

The New Yorker

In an indication of the great size of the complex, several workers professed to be unfamiliar with the dead men.

The New York Times

Ms. Botros said she felt comfortable on muslimspace.com and delved into religious topics that non-Muslims would be unfamiliar with.

The New York Times

It is important to remember that most people in the organisation will be unfamiliar with IT security concepts or terminology.

The Guardian

Many of Mr Hussein's most loyal troops, who come from the Tikrit area, will be unfamiliar with the city's byways.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience when using "be unfamiliar with". If writing for a general audience, avoid jargon or technical terms that they might not understand.

Common error

Avoid overuse of the passive voice when using "be unfamiliar with". Instead of saying "The concept might be unfamiliar with many readers", try "Many readers might be unfamiliar with the concept" for a more direct and engaging tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be unfamiliar with" functions as a verb phrase expressing a state of lacking knowledge or experience about something specific. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage, indicating it's a standard way to convey unfamiliarity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

53%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be unfamiliar with" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to indicate a lack of knowledge or experience, as affirmed by Ludwig. It is most frequently found in scientific and news contexts. While alternatives like "lack familiarity with" exist, "be unfamiliar with" maintains a neutral tone suitable for various professional settings. Remember to clearly specify the subject of unfamiliarity to avoid ambiguity and consider your audience when using this phrase. Also, pay close attention to sentence structure to avoid excessive use of passive voice. By addressing these nuances, you can confidently and effectively incorporate "be unfamiliar with" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack familiarity with

Emphasizes the absence of previous experience or knowledge.

be unacquainted with

Highlights a state of not knowing someone or something personally.

be ignorant of

Focuses on a lack of awareness or information about something.

have no knowledge of

Directly states the absence of information regarding a specific subject.

be unaware of

Stresses the lack of consciousness or realization about something.

be a stranger to

Implies a complete lack of experience or knowledge about a particular subject.

have no experience with

Highlights the absence of practical involvement or exposure.

not be conversant with

Focuses on the lack of skill or knowledge to discuss something intelligently.

not know anything about

A simple and direct way to express a lack of knowledge.

not be informed about

Implies a lack of information due to not being told or educated.

FAQs

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

You can use "be unfamiliar with" to indicate a lack of knowledge or experience. For example, "New users may "be unfamiliar with" the interface of the software".

What's a more formal alternative to "be unfamiliar with"?

A more formal alternative could be "lack familiarity with". For instance, "The researchers lack familiarity with the latest advancements in the field".

Is it correct to say "be unfamiliar to" instead of "be unfamiliar with"?

While "unfamiliar to" can be used, "be unfamiliar with" is generally preferred and more common when referring to a lack of knowledge or experience regarding a specific subject. Saying "be unfamiliar to" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "be unfamiliar with" and "be ignorant of"?

"Be unfamiliar with" suggests a simple lack of knowledge, while "be ignorant of" can imply a more profound or even willful lack of knowledge. The former is often neutral, while the latter can be more critical.