considerable acquaintance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "considerable acquaintance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant level of familiarity or knowledge about someone or something. Example: "After years of working together, I have developed a considerable acquaintance with the company's operations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

And that experience included considerable acquaintance with the chronic, disquieting feeling that something not so good was about to happen.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Their plans for a long-term working relationship were thwarted by Grieg's sudden death in September 1907; nevertheless, this relatively brief acquaintance had a considerable impact on Grainger, and he championed Grieg's music for the rest of his life.

Wikipedia

One acquaintance who made a considerable impression on him in the thirties was Baron Axel Wenner-Green, the Swedish industrialist, who is heavily interested in the Electrolux and Servel Corporationa and whose European holdings include timber lands, paper mills, and munitions factories.

The New Yorker

Schlick expended considerable effort discussing the differences between intuitive acquaintance and conceptual knowledge, insisting that, even though intuitive images are real, acquaintance with them does not constitute knowledge.

SEP

The historian John Davies describes Bute as "dour, remote and overbearing on first acquaintance" but with a "sense of responsibility, considerable imagination and an enormous capacity for hard work".

Wikipedia

Studying there Garrow "knew the English language well; had a moderate acquaintance with the Latin and, as an accomplishment, added a considerable proficiency in French".

Wikipedia

The fact is that there have been a considerable number of studies written about the fact that, while many men have plenty of acquaintances, very few men have a good friend.

Huffington Post

When his novel "Cakes and Ale" appeared, in 1930, all of literary London recognized the fawning, sycophantic hack novelist Alroy Kear — "I could think of no one among my contemporaries who had achieved so considerable a position on so little talent," the novel's narrator says — as a stand-in for Hugh Walpole, an acquaintance of Maugham's.

The New Yorker

When an old acquaintance stopped by a few weeks ago to say hello, Tayyab needed no hint to place him, despite the passage of sixteen years and considerable changes in them both.

The New Yorker

"Delete them," the acquaintance responded.

The New York Times

One Facebook acquaintance suggested "cinesthesia".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "considerable acquaintance" when you want to emphasize that someone has more than a superficial knowledge of a subject or person, but not necessarily a deep, expert-level understanding. It's a good middle ground.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "considerable acquaintance" can sound overly formal in casual conversations. Opt for simpler phrases like "knows a lot about" or "is quite familiar with" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "considerable acquaintance" functions as a noun phrase, where "considerable" modifies "acquaintance". It signifies a noteworthy degree of familiarity or knowledge. Ludwig provides examples showing its use in various contexts, indicating a meaningful level of awareness or experience.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "considerable acquaintance" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a notable level of familiarity or knowledge. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is more suited for formal or neutral contexts, as seen in news and encyclopedia articles. While not extremely common, as only a few examples are available, it serves as a useful way to communicate that someone has more than just a passing understanding of a topic. Alternatives such as "substantial familiarity" or "extensive knowledge" may be used depending on the specific context and desired nuance. The Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerable understanding

Substitutes "acquaintance" with "understanding", focusing on comprehension.

substantial familiarity

Replaces "acquaintance" with "familiarity", emphasizing a deeper level of understanding.

extensive knowledge

Substitutes both words to highlight the breadth of information possessed.

significant experience

Focuses on practical involvement rather than just knowing someone or something.

broad understanding

Emphasizes comprehension across a wide scope.

good grasp

Suggests a firm and comprehensive understanding.

deep insight

Implies a penetrating understanding that goes beyond the surface.

comprehensive overview

Highlights having a complete picture of something.

notable exposure

Focuses on the extent of being subjected to or involved in something.

appreciable awareness

Highlights the extent of being informed or conscious of something.

FAQs

How can I use "considerable acquaintance" in a sentence?

You can use "considerable acquaintance" to indicate someone has a good level of familiarity or knowledge. For example: "He has a "considerable acquaintance" with the local history."

What are some alternatives to "considerable acquaintance"?

Alternatives include "substantial familiarity", "extensive knowledge", or "broad understanding", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "considerable acquaintance" formal or informal?

"Considerable acquaintance" leans towards the formal side. In more casual settings, you might prefer phrases like "pretty familiar with" or "knows quite a bit about."

What's the difference between "considerable acquaintance" and "passing acquaintance"?

"Considerable acquaintance" suggests a notable level of familiarity or knowledge, while "passing acquaintance" implies only a slight or superficial knowledge. Thus "passing acquaintance" refers to someone you know by sight but not personally.