close acquaintances

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close acquaintances" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a set of people with whom you have a close, personal relationship, but are not necessarily best friends or family members. For example: "My close acquaintances and I have been meeting up for dinner every month for the past five years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Friends and former colleagues described Ms. Forrest — known as Kitty to close acquaintances — as decisive.

The New York Times

"I continue to return to them, like to a group of close acquaintances and friends," he told me.

The New Yorker

Usually these people are close acquaintances, with family members mentioned in about 20 percent of dream reports.

Encyclopedia Britannica

By selling most of his equity, close acquaintances said, it was easier to split marital assets in the divorce.

The New York Times

Poor Jen had survived for over a decade on a diet of "close acquaintances" and unflattering paparazzi shots that transformed a mere blink into rage or despair.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Then there's the fact that 6 out of 10 sexual assaults are by relatives or other close acquaintances to the victim.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

The glaziers, however, were probably English with a close acquaintance with French models.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Yet, as her close acquaintance Roland Barthes said, it is only once the voice loses its origin that writing may begin.

The Guardian - Books

They parted in 1527 but resumed their close acquaintance in Rome (1531), and it was the Roman style that influenced their subsequent development.

Encyclopedia Britannica

His coverage of the mob was helped by his close acquaintance with mobsters, people he met while hanging around N.Y.C. courtrooms.

The New Yorker

One close acquaintance said Mr. Li had a rare private meeting this year with Hu Jintao, the new chief of the Communist Party in China.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing relationships, use "close acquaintances" to indicate a level of familiarity that is more than a casual acquaintance but less than a close friendship. This term is appropriate for people you know well enough to recognize and interact with comfortably, but with whom you don't share deep confidences.

Common error

Avoid using "close acquaintances" when referring to someone you barely know or have only met once. This term suggests a degree of familiarity and interaction that should be reflected in the actual relationship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close acquaintances" functions as a noun phrase, where "close" modifies "acquaintances" to indicate the degree of familiarity. Ludwig provides examples of its use in describing relationships that are more intimate than casual, yet not as deep as friendships. It's a common way to refer to individuals you know and interact with on a somewhat regular basis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "close acquaintances" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe individuals you know fairly well but aren't necessarily close friends or family. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for use in various contexts, from news reports to scientific articles. When writing, remember that this phrase signifies a level of familiarity beyond a casual acquaintance but short of a deep friendship. To avoid misrepresentation, reserve it for relationships where there is consistent and recognizable interaction. When a different nuance is needed, consider alternatives such as "familiar contacts" or "near associates" to better fit the specific social dynamic you're describing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

near associates

Emphasizes a professional or working relationship more than a personal one, implying a degree of collaboration or shared activity.

familiar contacts

Highlights the aspect of being known or recognized, suitable when the level of intimacy is less important than the fact of previous interaction.

intimate colleagues

Suggests a strong working bond coupled with personal closeness, applicable in professional settings.

personal connections

Focuses on the link or bond between individuals, often used in networking or social contexts.

inner circle

Implies a select group of people with privileged access or influence, more exclusive than simple acquaintances.

trusted fellows

Highlights the aspect of reliance and confidence, suitable when emphasizing dependability.

regular companions

Emphasizes shared activities or habits, more about spending time together than deep emotional bonds.

established associates

Stresses a long-standing or well-formed relationship, implying stability and familiarity.

well-known individuals

Focuses on public recognition or awareness, suitable when the relationship is less important than the individual's notability.

social peers

Suggests a group of people with similar social standing or background, used often when describing societal dynamics.

FAQs

How can I use "close acquaintances" in a sentence?

You can use "close acquaintances" to describe people you know reasonably well but aren't necessarily close friends. For example, "I often see my "close acquaintances" at the local coffee shop".

What's a good alternative to "close acquaintances"?

Depending on the context, you might use terms like "near associates", "familiar contacts", or "intimate colleagues".

Is there a difference between "close acquaintances" and "close friends"?

"Close acquaintances" implies a degree of familiarity and regular interaction, while "close friends" suggests a deeper emotional connection, shared confidences, and mutual support.

When is it appropriate to use "close acquaintances" instead of "casual acquaintances"?

Use "close acquaintances" when you want to emphasize a stronger connection or more frequent interaction compared to "casual acquaintances", who you may only know by sight or have very infrequent contact with.