common friend

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "common friend" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, "My sister and I reunited after many years thanks to a common friend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

I met her through a common friend.

The New York Times

We need one more common friend.

The New York Times

We had a common friend, who had been a labor organizer, who introduced us.

Harvard University

He frequently tells the Rev. David Stinson what a common friend, Rabbi Kushner, preached about the previous week.

The New York Times

When the two met six years ago through a common friend, Mr. Speigler knew nothing about New Jersey.

The New York Times

Yves, their common friend, tries to reconcile their views and only succeeds in antagonising both of them.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

"You can find common friends" — he snapped his fingers — "just like that".

The New York Times

The method involves examining whether members of a network are connected by looking at how many common "friends" they have, how many common friends those friends have, and so on.

Princeton University

But he recently informed the Yankees through common friends at Goldman Sachs that he was reconsidering his stance.

The New York Times - Sports

"I kept asking common friends and sometimes even strangers for any possible clue of her whereabouts," he said.

The New York Times

Please explain why an intelligent and worldly surgeon, who is divorced, would date a manicurist with whom he shares no common friends or interests.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When introducing two people, mentioning a "common friend" can help break the ice and establish a comfortable starting point for conversation.

Common error

Avoid using "mutual friend" interchangeably with "common friend" without considering the nuance. "Common friend" emphasizes shared, while "mutual friend" stresses reciprocity between the involved parties. Although they are often used interchangeably, "common friend" is more technically accurate when describing a friend shared by two people.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "common friend" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a preposition or as a subject complement. It identifies a person who is a friend to two or more individuals. Ludwig examples confirm its usage in various sentence structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "common friend" is a widely used and grammatically sound expression in English, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to denote a person who is friends with multiple individuals, creating a social link between them. While often used interchangeably with "mutual friend", "common friend" is more precise when describing a shared friendship. The phrase appears frequently in diverse contexts, including news, academic writing, and informal conversation. To enhance clarity and avoid ambiguity, it's essential to use the term accurately and consider alternative phrases such as "shared contact" or "mutual acquaintance" depending on the nature of the relationship.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mutual friend

Uses "mutual" instead of "common", providing a slightly more formal tone.

shared friend

Highlights that the friendship is shared by multiple people.

mutual acquaintance

Replaces "friend" with "acquaintance", suggesting a less close relationship.

mutual connection

Focuses on the relationship itself rather than the person.

shared contact

Emphasizes the connection as a professional or casual link.

linking friend

Focuses on the role of the friend in connecting people.

connecting acquaintance

Combines the ideas of connection and less close relationship.

common associate

Replaces "friend" with "associate", indicating a business or professional connection.

go-between friend

Highlights the intermediary role of the friend.

bridge between us

Metaphorically describes the friend as a connection point.

FAQs

How can I use "common friend" in a sentence?

You can use "common friend" to indicate that two or more people share a friendship with the same person. For instance, "We discovered we both knew Sarah; she was our "common friend"".

Is it better to say "mutual friend" or "common friend"?

While both phrases are used, "common friend" is generally considered more accurate when referring to a single friend shared between two people. "Mutual friend" implies a reciprocal friendship, which isn't always the case. So, stick to "common friend" for better accuracy.

What are some alternatives to saying "common friend"?

Alternatives to "common friend" include phrases like "mutual acquaintance", "shared contact", or simply "mutual friend", depending on the context and the nature of the relationship.

How does having a "common friend" affect social interactions?

Having a "common friend" can create a sense of familiarity and trust between individuals who are meeting for the first time. It provides a shared connection and a potential topic for conversation, making social interactions smoother and more comfortable.