became acquainted

USAGE SUMMARY

"became acquainted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the process of two (or more) people becoming familiar with each other. For example: “John and I became acquainted at the library last year.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Through Volodya, Kostya became acquainted with Ivetta.

The New Yorker

At Jenkins family gatherings, the men became acquainted.

The New York Times - Sports

He became acquainted with a woman who shared his compartment.

The New Yorker

At this time he became acquainted with Newton.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The couple became acquainted after their graduation from Brown.

The New York Times - Style

While working on the reunion, they became acquainted.

The New York Times - Style

Through Mr. McAuliffe, Mr. Winnick became acquainted with Mr. Clinton.

The New York Times

After they became acquainted, she introduced her brother to Miss Menuhin.

The New York Times

While residing in New Salem, Lincoln became acquainted with Ann Rutledge.

Encyclopedia Britannica

On his daily walks he became acquainted with several bus drivers.

The New Yorker

Mr. Laroche is a taxi-driver that Mr. Mott became acquainted with.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "became acquainted" to describe the start of a relationship or familiarity, especially when emphasizing a gradual process. For instance, "They became acquainted through a mutual friend" suggests a developing connection.

Common error

Avoid using "became acquainted" when you mean simply to become familiar with a concept or object. While you can become acquainted with a person, you become familiar with something. For example, say "She became familiar with the software", not "She became acquainted with the software".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "became acquainted" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of getting to know someone or something. It suggests an initial stage of familiarity or a developing relationship as we can see in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

21%

Wiki

19%

Less common in

Science

15%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "became acquainted" is a versatile and commonly used way to describe the initial stage of getting to know someone or something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and appears frequently in various contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and general writing. When using "became acquainted", remember that it suggests a more gradual process than simply "meeting", and avoid confusing it with "becoming familiar with". For alternative phrasing, consider "got to know" or "made the acquaintance of", depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

made the acquaintance of

A more formal and somewhat archaic way of saying "became acquainted".

got to know

Focuses more on the process of learning about someone over time.

met

A more direct and simple term for initial introduction.

struck up a friendship

Implies the beginning of a friendly relationship.

formed a relationship

Emphasizes the development of a connection rather than the initial meeting.

developed a rapport

Suggests a harmonious or sympathetic connection.

established contact

Suggests a more formal or professional initial interaction.

came into contact with

Highlights the act of meeting or encountering someone or something.

crossed paths with

A more figurative way of saying that two people met, often by chance.

became familiar with

Indicates gaining knowledge or understanding rather than necessarily forming a personal connection.

FAQs

How do I use "became acquainted" in a sentence?

Use "became acquainted" to describe the beginning of a relationship or the process of getting to know someone. For example, "They became acquainted at a conference" or "He became acquainted with the local customs".

What's a more formal way to say "became acquainted"?

A more formal alternative to "became acquainted" is "made the acquaintance of". This phrasing is more common in formal writing or speech.

What can I say instead of "became acquainted" to suggest a closer relationship?

If you want to suggest a closer relationship, you could use phrases like "struck up a friendship", "formed a bond", or "developed a rapport". These imply a deeper connection than simply meeting someone.

Is "became acquainted with" always used with people?

While often used with people, "became acquainted with" can also refer to becoming familiar with concepts, places, or things. For example, "He became acquainted with the intricacies of the legal system". But be careful to not confuse it with "become familiar with".